PORT OF LONDON

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 January 1925, Page 4

PORT OF LONDON

STRIKING PICTURE,

SHIPPING AND COMMERCE.

Statistics are valuable in informing, though in a dry fashion, the people of the size and commercial greatness of any city. No one, however, but he who lias been to the world’s centre, as London may still be aptly called, can have but a faint conception of the extent and vastness of the commerce and shipping with which the Port of London is able to deal. The moving picture, therefore, which Captain Pearse, an accredited authority for the Board, is taking and showing round the world is intensely illuminating and vastly educational, doing a very useful work lor the people and for the Empire. A view of this fine picture makes one realise that London is still as great in the world of commerce, and growing greater year by year. Yesterday afternoon when the picture, by the courtesy of the Opera House management, was shown in Hawera, there was hot a single empty seat, and the audience, composed of business and professional men and farmers, with a large number of young . people, followed with intent eagerness eacli scene of the series of excellent * illustrations of the greatness «f London. The extent of the wharf, docks, cool stores aud other accommodation necessary to a great shipping port, the .enormous amounts of produce of --xhany kinds from all parts of the world—timber, dairy produce, wool, meat, grain, tobacco, sugar, tea, liquor, ivory, rubber, ostrich feathers, and many others —the ’ most up-to-date appliances for saving time and labour, the records of shipping outwards and inwards, the lines upon lines of barges, these and many other features are shown in a way that no reading can bring home to the spectator of the picture. Smithfield market —a name only to most overseas people—cold stores, oil tanks, insulated vessels. Tower Bridge and London Bridge and many other views of the great city are brought right before the eyes of the onlookers. They see New Zealand lamb —“the best in the world” —mutton and beef, wool from overseas being sorted and arranged for sale on the market, ■which still stands supreme, and, as Captain Pearse said, ‘The only market of the world where all buyers attend.” In contrast is shown the lighter side of the Thames life, the gay crowds at Henley, with their barges and houseboats, and the eight-oared racing • boats.

The growth of the trade of London * is depicted by the figures showing an increase from ten millions two centuries since to 563 millions in 1922. Finally, it is interesting to note that the whole business of the Port of Ixmdo.n is co-operative, and that any profits are used to .reduce, rates. It is altogether a picture of entrancing interest, which makes • the onlooker proud, to belong to the Eriipire. When the screening was ever, a motion, proposed by Mr E. Dixon, president of the Chamber of Commerce, under whose auspices the visit was paid, that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Captain Pearse, was carried by acclamation and briefly acknowledged by him. The action of the Opera. House management in putting on the picture without a charge was also heartily appreciated. At the conclusion a comic picture was screened for the amusement of the spectators, and all came away interested, delighted and amused. It was a thoroughly good afternoon. •