BLOT ON THE LANDSCAPE

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16818, 9 June 1926, Page 6

BLOT ON THE LANDSCAPE

The'authorities are determined to make the railways pay. If unable, to ensure that end by the legitimate business of transporting passengers and merchandise, they will exploit oilier avenues. They are anxious to raise revenue and to do so do not hesitate to flout the good taste or to offend the eslhclical sense of the public. Their one ambition is to get cash. In older countries an outcry has reccntly been raised against the advertising evil. Many places of public resort, and the roads thereto have been rendered hideous by the modern practice of plastering the landscape with inartistic signs which are so resented by the residents and tourists that movements have been launched with the object of getting them eliminated and also of boycotting the Arms who are responsible for their erection. Similar protests have been voiced in. tins Dominion by those who recognise that there arc other things in life than the pursuit of filthy lucre and who feel that to exploit beauty spots for base, purposes savours of desecration. Those in charge of the Hailway Department have no such qualms. They apparently appraise all things in L.S.D. If evidenco is required, it is procurable at the sub-way on River Road. There the Borough Council spent a considerable sum in forming a magnificent piece of road with stone wall approaches, and the residents have recently pledged themselves to contribute annually a fixed amount in order to maintaiu the footpaths in a manner that will be in keeping with the Council's work. They, not unnaturally, feel greatly indignant that the Railway Department lias now entered upon the scene and is doing its best to thwart their desire to bcaulify their suburb, for painters have converted I lie big girders spanning the road from the customary bematilc into a bilious yellow background for black and red lettering blazoning forth the virtues of a certain brand of motor spirit. The tiling is an a.bomina'tion, and questions are being asked as to whether the Department is within its legal rights in so disfiguring a public thoroughfare, and whether the Borough Council lias no power to veto such a breach of good taste. If there is no legal remedy it has been suggested that members of the Automobile Association, who have already voiced strong disapproval of roadside advertising, should show the sincerity of their protests in a practical manner and endeavour to secure the cancellation of the contract.