THE TOURIST SEASON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 67

THE TOURIST SEASON.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

PUBLICITY DEPARTMENT’S WORK.

WELLINGTON, October 4.

The tourist season now approaching was referred to to-day by the Minister in charge of that department (Mr P. A. de la Perrelle), who expressed the opinion that never before has such a comprehensive scheme been undertaken to attract overseas visitors. The expenditure -f all departments had been cut down, but there would not be any slackening in the ’Ctivities of the Publicity Department. “ National publicity cannot properly be confined to any one avenue,” said Mr de la Perrelle, “ and there had always been a tendency on the part of the New Zealand public to assume that film production and distribution constitute the main work of this branch of the department’s functions. Oyer several years past many very fine scenic films have been produced and widely distributed, and the circulation of these * silent ’ pictures through the Dominion no doubt brought that phase of publicity, work under special notice. These films are still being shown extensively overseas, and particularly in the United Kingdom, Where our silent scenics are appearing in more than 50 theatres each week. The wide range of subjects available allows for constant

changes, and the films are doing excellent work over an extensive field. Arrangements have recently been made for the re-showing of -some of the best films in about 20 important theatres in Australia, and they will be supported by screen advertising. Lecturers in America had been supplied with selected subjects, continued the Minister, but the silent films were not acceptable for general showing there. However, a local firm Which had done a great deal of film work for the department had now imported the necessary sound plant, and would work in co-operation with the departmem in the production of "suitable sound films. The existing “silent” negatives could be utilised, so there was no special need to re-photograph many of the scenic subjects, and, by the introduction of a “reporter” or “guide” talk and a “ background ” of music, the best of the existing silent material could be made acceptable to the distributors of the sound films. Technical tests had been made and one trial film had already been “set to sound.”