South Island Beauty Spots Not Neglected

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 41, 18 February 1938, Page 7

South Island Beauty Spots Not Neglected

Publicity Minister Refutes Criticism of Travel Films NEW CAMERAMAN ENGAGED Per Press Association. WELLNGTON, Last Night. “The’ condemnation by a New Zealand traveller of the Government publicity films shown on the Niagara is rather.too general to be of value," said the Minister in Charge of the Tourist and Publicity Department, Hon. F. Langstone,when the matter was referred to him. “As regards the omission of South Island beauty spots, the fault definitely does not lie with my Department, which makes a point of supplying films depicting all points of interest throughout the Dominion. For instance, 1 am advised that the films on board the Niagara during her last voyage included two, ‘Glacier' and ‘Happy Altitudes,' dealing solely with South Island attractions. In addition, three of the four reviews contained South Island items. “The accusation that the films of Maori life are not typical is equally inaccurate. The games, dances and songs dopicted may all be seen at Maori concerts and displays which, are given daily throughout the summer at Rotorua and on frequent occasions in other places. The descriptive dialogue stresses the point that these were the former mode of life and pastimes of the native race. I may add that a new programme placed on board tho Niagara comprises four films, one of which, ‘ Southward Ho,’ deals most comprehensively with the South Island. Another, ‘New Zealand’s Charm,' devotes 50 per cent, of its length to that area, and the third, ‘Movielogue No. 9,’ shows three more different aspects of the south. Naturally the remaining film deals solely with the north. “My Department has recently added another movie cameraman to its staff, and he is stationed permanently in the South Island. Recent releases include ‘Marlborough Sounds’ and ‘Our Daily Bread,' both of which are purely South Island films, while a new review contains shots of Milford and Christchurch. Material in hand but not yet issued includes shots of Stewart Island, Queenstown and the southern lakes and Dunedin, while at this moment a new film dealing with the Buller district is in the course of shooting, and a film of the Nelson district will shortly be taken."