An Imperial Project.

Northland Age, Volume 27, Issue 44, 4 November 1927, Page 2

An Imperial Project.

LARGE IN CONCEPTION. "Ring back the shrouding curtain of the years, k And tell the story of The Pioneers.” A proposal of Empire wide interest has been put before the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Mmisiei in charge of the Govermnrnt Publicity Department, by Colonel Allen B'll M.P. Writing to the Minister under date of 27th September he said “In the United States of America they depict with the aid of the cim ma, the armal ot the Pilgtim Faihvis, of the Forty Miners in California, and other momentous events in the history of that great country. Might 1 suggest to you that one of the finest things, Horn an educational and ' publicity point of view, that your Department could uudertakc would be the production of a film on the same lines ? What finer historical subjects could we , picuirise than the arrival ot the Mission ary pioneers at the May of Islands in 1814 their lives at historic Paihia, Kerikeri and Waimate, of the lives of the men and women who btved off from the latter place and striking the Wilderness Trail, at rived at Kaitaia in 1832, and established the Anglican Mission there yof the arrival of Bishop Pbmpallie- on the Hekistiga, and the establishment ol the Rotna n Catholic Mission in that district; the arrival of the Wesleyan Missionaries at W hjngatoa; the signing of the Treaty 0 Waitangi—in short the biith of history lit New Zealand. We could then travel on and depict the arrival of the pioneers at Wellington 1 , it 1839-40; at Auckland in 1840, at New Pi) mouth and Nelson in 1841, at Otago in 1848, anddDanterbury in 1850. These sAes and others properly staged woupftp my opinion, provide the material forgwtovie that could be shown with pride in all parts of the wot Id, end at the same time be an inspiration to the young people now growing np in our 'Dominion, who, unfortunately, are losing sight of the splendid work, the deeds of heroism performed by the pioneers. The expense would be somewhat hesvv, and I do not suggest that the whole should be borne by yenr Department. Every town and district afTeated snculd be prepared to tirovide say 25 per cent ot the cost in money and service. If you think well of the suggestion it would give me pleasure to discuss the matter with you personally." A Further Communication. On October aist. Colonel Belt forward, ed the fo, owing further cominunicw.ion to the Mil ister:— “I would esteem it a personal favour if you would let me have an early reply to my letter of 27th. September wherein I suggested construction of a film depleting the arrival of the pioneers in New Zealand. Might I suggest that the movement I have outlined is of Empire interest. At the present time our country is being c overly Americanised by the movies—e«en the slang used by out children is of t ie American variety. A movement is on foot to popularise British films. What finer itart could be made than to pictureise the birth of colonisation and civilisation in Canada, Africa, Austialia, New Zealand and other British possessions, a work large in conception, and of inmence Empire and educational value. Might I also suggest that the subject is of .uffitient importance to discuss with the Ri. fcon. Mr. Amery during his visit to New Zealand.