LAND OF CONTRASTS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 September 1930, Page 9

LAND OF CONTRASTS

LORD BLEDISLOE’S IMPRESSIONS

PICTURE THEATRE MAGNIFI-

CENCE,

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 10. “This is a land of contrasts, of wind and .calm, cold and heat, love of sport and diligence in work, full cinemas and empty churches, worldliness and piety, extravagance and thrift.” These remarks were made by the Governor-General at the k.universe ry meeting of the Sailors’ Friend Society, over which Ihe presided. “A short time ago,” he said, “I entered a truly magnificent picture house somewhere in the Dominion, with every luxurious appointment, every un-to-date mechanical device and full of potentialities for good and evil. The manager told me with pride that it cost £250,000 and added that it was likely to prove quite a good investment. I wondered hopefully whether it would be as good an investment, both morally and otherwise, for the nation as it would be for the proprietor. “Passing along the streets of Wellington on my way to the Seamen’s Institute on. a peculiarly dull, vet day, I tried to picture the impressions •of a young stranger, a seaman pois.siblv, belonging to a foreign country, landing after a long voyage, on the streets of this city, feeling a bit loudly, peril nos muddy underfoot, cold , and drizzling overhead and with nothing much te arrest attention except the cinema posters. Some of them are cheerfully dramatic; some are uninspiring but innocuous, and one at least of demoralising suggestiveness - . While so cogitating I passed into this buildinw and the contrast was truly delightful and inspiring.”