NATIONAL FILM UNIT DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 September 1947, Page 7

NATIONAL FILM UNIT DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE

(P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., Sept. 26 In the House of Representatives this afternoon, when estimates were under consideration, Mr. T. L. Macdonald (Opp.. Wallace) praised, as did other members, the work of publicity studios and the film unit, but questioned the propriety of such activities being conducted under the wing of a Prime Min ster. There must always be, he said, a tendency for publicity mediums to be used in difficult times for propaganda purposes.

The Minister for Rehabilitation (Mr. Skinner) said the vote of £49,000 for the National Film Unit should have been three times as great, for the unit did more than any other agency to knit the people of New Zealand together. Commercial undertakings had not attempted that task, and it was the Government’s duty to do it. by fostering the production of worthwhile films. Mr. G. H. O. Wilson (Govt., Palmerston North) said the National Film Unit, could do more if it. had the equipment and technicians. The film unit showed people what was happening in the country and it was good to see New Zealand advertised to ourselves and to the world. It was a pity, however, there was not more coordination between the department’s handling of publicity. Mr. F. Langstone (Govt., Roskill) urged the increased production of documentary films about the New Zealand, way of life. The National Film Unit, he said, had demonstrated its great ability in productions of this type, and in view of the likely curtailment of imports of American films, there should be scope for a wider exhibition of well-made documentaries made in this country. FILM CRITICISED Mr. J. K. McAlpine (Opp., Selwyn) critcised. the Public Works film on the Molesworth station, and said it. had presented a misleading picture, particularly so far as erosion was concerned. The bad peaks in the picture had been in the same state for 2,000, 000 years. The Prime Minister, (Mr. Fraser) said he could not imagine those who were interested in soil erosion were deliberately distorting the film. He was convinced that if we were to produce more documentary and other films to keep New Zealand before other countries there would have to be an extension of the activities of the National Film Unit. He would look into the question of co-ordinating publicity matters. Mr. Fraser, defending the activities of the film unit and publicity studios, said the Government was trustee for the people and was entitled to tell the people what it was doing. Mr. W. A. Sheat (Opp., Patea) complained that films made by the film unit were lent to the Labour Party for use at its meetings. Mr. Fraser: I understand that the National Party has also borrowed them. Mr. Sheat said the use of instructional film by any group was in order, but he objected to the use of public money to make films which could be used for party propaganda.