PROPAGANDA AGAINST SOUTHLAND

Southland Times, Issue 25434, 5 August 1944, Page 3

PROPAGANDA AGAINST SOUTHLAND

Sir,—Business takes me to most places in New Zealand two or four times a year, and I was last in Invercargill on July 18-21. Two other North Islanders accompanied me, and we had all dreaded the trip south in the middle of winter, and carried suitcases of polar clothes—which we didn’t use. So far from noticing the cold, all of us enjoyed the conditions prevailing, but every Southlander we met started in with some derogatory remark about the weather. Being professionally interested in propaganda (or publicity) and its results, I have my eyes open for its effects, and I wonder whether Southlanders of the type I refer to appreciate the harm they are doing their own place of residence and of business by consistently decrying it. In some parts of New Zealand the converse applies—exaggerated claims are. constantly being made. Without suggesting that Southlanders do that, I do strongly contend that it is up to those who enjoy the many privileges Southland offers to appreciate them verbally, and to give other people a chance to value them reasonably. Years of subversive propaganda have resulted in a complete lack of desire in northerners to see the south, and, worse still, your own young people are encouraged to migrate to allegedly superior climes and opportunities. Thus your human factor, the calibre of your inhabitants—the ultimately deciding factor—tends to become weaker, and your tremendous possibilities will wane, not wax as they should. From a casual survey, here are some of the things I think Southland has:— (1) A climate which is far from unsatisfactory and not very different from the rest of New Zealand; (2) the best food—particularly fish—and the best wood and coal in New Zealand; (3) the best seascape scenery (Rivertori to Tuatapere) and the best beaches in New Zealand; (4) the best stamp of employee (and probably employer) in New Zealand; (5) more numerous and varied resorts within 100 miles than any city in New Zealand; (6) the greatest extent of clean, valuable farming land of any province; (7) for future development, the greatest extent of new good lands yet to be brought in of any province. Why cry it down? May I suggest a cure? Make it a standing rule in any assembly at tea-rooms, bars, 19th holes and other important gatherings that any local who says the wrong thing about Southland pays all expenses. LINDSAY GILMOUR. Wellington, August 2, 1944.