HOPE THAT NATIONAL FILM REVIEW MIGHT BE REVIVED

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 September 1950, Page 5

HOPE THAT NATIONAL FILM REVIEW MIGHT BE REVIVED

PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Last Night (PA)—The hope that before the Minister of External Affairs (Mr. Doidge) left in a few days time on an overseas mission he would announce a reversal of the Government’s recent decision to discontinue the production of the “Weekly Review” by the National Film Unit was voiced by Mr. F. Jones (Opp., Dunedin) in the House of the Representatives this afternoon during the Imprest Supply Bill debate.

Mr. Jones said the Weekly Review had been a popular feature for years and was a great advertisement for New Zealand both among New Zealanders themselves and overseas. The Government had scrapped the Weekly Review in lhe hope of saving a few pounds but this was a short-sighted policy which should be reversed. Copies of the Weekly Review had been bought regularly by overseas film interests on a commercial basis and there also had been a considerable outlet in the United States for television purposes. It was to be hoped that Mr. Doidge on his overseas mission showed belter judgment than he had shown in this matter. Mr. Doidge was interested in advertising New Zealand but had sabotaged one form, of publicity. Mr. Jones voiced disappointment that no film was made of the first Rugby Test in Dunedin. This was, however, not the fault of the Government, but was due to a breakdown on the part of private enterprise which the Rugby Union had entrusted with the job. The Prime Minister (Mr. Holland): You could take a very good film of the Ranfurly Shield arriving in Christchurch from Dunedin. Mr. Jones: I am glad to see that Canterbury is getting a change again after all these years. Mr. Jones said the quality of the films produced by the National Film. Unit was high. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Fraser): There were none better in the world. Mr. Jones said it was deplorable that New Zealanders in future would be able to see films of other countries but not of their own. After further discussion of Auckland’s development problem, the Imprest Supply Bill No. 3, for which urgency was taken, was passed. An imprest amounting to £17,094,000 was granted.