The Hawera Star MONDAY, JUNE, 29, 1925. NEW ZEALAND IN PICTURE

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 29 June 1925, Page 4

The Hawera Star

MONDAY, JUNE, 29, 1925. NEW ZEALAND IN PICTURE

Delivered eiery evening by 5 o’clock -u Hawera, Manaia Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltliam, Jlangatoki. Kaponga, Alton, Hurlevville, Patea, Waverley, Jlokoia, Wliakamara, Uhangai. Meremere, Eraser Hoad, an Ararata.

Destructive criticism, being a. comparatively simple exercise, and the Government being fair game for everyone who feels inclined to release a lew barbed shafts, it has become almost the accepted thing in New Zealand to assail the’ authorities, for their alleged failure to tell the Dominion's charms to the wbrld at- large. Visitors from overseas, having seen what wo have io oiler in the way of scenic and ‘.sporting attractions, express surprise that they did not hear more of New Zealand in their home countries; and some ol our own people, returning from abroad, have told of the “amazing ignorance” of New Zealand which they louiul among the people even, of the British Isles. When it comes to amazing ignorance of New Zealand, however, it is not necessary to go outside of Now Zealand Itself; and one has only to spend five minutes in the Government Publicity Department's stall at the Hawera Winter Show to realise that, whatever may have been Lite deficiencies of the pant, a magnificent scheme is now' being developed for publishing the beauties and sporting opportunities of the Dominion. The word “publicity” has about it an American odour which is not calculated to recommend

it in all directions; but there is nothing loud, or cheap about the methods being employed to advertise New Zealand. Possibly that is because the Dominion is in. the very fortunate position of being unable to exaggerate the .splendours of her mountain, bush and lake scenery; photographs, either in black and white or natural tints —.and the exhibit at the show includes both

—speak far more eloquently on behalf of our country than would gaudy posters iand flaring headlines. We have .said that five minutes is sufficient to force home upon one the magnitude of the work. To get the full value cf the display made would take five hours ; just as it would take perhaps five years for any ordinary person to see in actual fact half of what is there portrayed. But the memory of it all lasts beyond fifty years; and, in face of what is now being done by the Publicity Department, it is impossible to say that we are keeping our treasures secret from the world.