HOARDINGS OR UNSIGHTLY CORNERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20095, 30 April 1935, Page 5

HOARDINGS OR UNSIGHTLY CORNERS

To ttLe Editor of ” The Timaru Herald ” Sir.—With reference to the letter in to-day's paper by "One of the Younger Generation,” I think we can say it is very questionable if these hoarding around the town are objectionable. The cry-out against this type of advertisement is, I think, in many cases overdone. Critics in many cases are like sheep—follow the leader, without any due consideration of the merits or otherwise of the case. I will agree that among bush or country scenery the hoarding appears out of place, but there is no doubt that in towns they do cover some unsightly and untidy corners with advantage. Surely “One of the Younger Generation" must know that it is an “age of colour,” and is it not better to have a bright, gailypainted hoarding than an empty section covered with weeds and rubbish heaps, etc.? We will all agree that unemployment is one of our biggest problems to-day. _,y then discourage the erecting of these signs? They provide work for the builder, painter and signwriter, who in their turn must buy their materials from the factories. Due no doubt to activities of the Axrtomobile Associations and Beautifying Societies, the enormous amount of money spent on these hoardings py oil companies a few years ago, now probably goes into the pockets of the shareholdei-s overseas. Hoping that I do not stand alone in these' convictions. I am, etc., ANOTHER OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION. Timaru, April 29.