NEW ZEALAND FILMS.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17133, 21 June 1927, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND FILMS.

ANOTHER OUTLET. TRANS-ATLANTIC SCREENINGS. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Trans-Atlantic journeys on Canadian Pacific Railway Company steamers will in the near future provide yet another means of making New Zealand more widely known abroad. The scheme, which relates to the regular screening of New Zealand films on vessels owned by this company, is expected to prove one of the most fruitful advertising avenues yet explored.

Some time ago the New Zealand Government Publicity Office entered into negotiations with Mr A. W. Essex, representative at Auckland of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, regarding the display of Dominion moving picture films on the company’s trans-Atlantic steamers; and Mr Essex has now advised the office of the company’s willingness to fall in with the proposal. The letter confirming the arrangement indicates ihat the films must be of non-inflammable stock to comply with the regulations, and it is suggested that four films be supplied as follows: — “Three films that will have an appeal to tourists, that is, films dealing with scenic splendour, etc., and one film devoted to industrial developments, provided it is interesting. If it is not, then wc should have four films of tourist variety.” “We would like you to point out to the Government Publicity Office,” jidds the communication, “that this is a very special concession. I know of no better advertisement it could have than through the display of New Zealand films on our steamships.”

To-day, on the arrangement referred to above, the Minister of Publicity (Hon. G. J. Anderson) expressed his appreciation of the whole-hearted co-operation the Canadian Pacific Railway Company had always accorded the Dominion Publicity Office. During 1926 the company had given great assistance in the distribution of New Zealand literature, etc., placing no fewer than 22,750 parcels of timetables, booklets, and general literature. Some 13,233 parcels had found their way to selected points in Canada, and 9547 to. the United States. “The display of New Zealand films on their steamships," added the Minister, “should be the means of attracting more tourists to the Dominion. The type and class of film suggested will be forwarded, and it is intended also to place on the ships a number of albums containing New Zealand views. It should be remembered that the Canadian Pacific- Railway Company is doing this work gratuitously. It is actions such as these which go a long way to foster the good feelings which exist between the sister Dominions.”