Hoardings.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18906, 22 January 1927, Page 14

Hoardings.

The South Island Motor Union deserves the support and encouragement of everybody, in its campaign against the hoardings which defile the countryside. Some weeks ago the Union resolved to join the North Island Union in an endeavour to secure legislation abolishing "the existing objectionable method of " advertising on, or adjacent to our "rural highways," and decided'to write to' the petrol and motor-tyre companies asking them to take their hoardings down. At Thursday night's meeting of-the committee of the Union it was reported that most of the answers received were favourable, and one may hope that this means that the advertisers are really prepared to surrender to what is unquestionably a widespread dislike of the huge signboards that disfigure some of the pleasantest bits of. rural scenery. If the advertisers but knew, it, these signs are of no value whatever as an aid to sales. When any particular hoarding is erected, it will for a few days remind the passing motorist of a spirit or tyre or oil which, he reads about daily; and after a few 'toys it becomes a meaningless blot on

the landscape," and a cause of irritation to the passer-by. If they Trill reflect upon this the agents responsible for the signs will perhaps decide that they might as well save the cost of putting these things up. It would be much pleasanter, of course, if they would take the signs down simply because they arc disagreeable and barbarous. But if the Motor Unions can get no results from their appeals to the advertisers, then there will be nothing for it but legislation; and legislation forbidding the erection of any advertising hoarding in the rural districts would be more sensible, and more beneficial, than a great many of the laws which Parliament enacts every year. We welcome the campaign of the Motor Union not only because its immediate object is good and wholesome, but also because success in it will assist the movement against the hoardings which continue to make many parts of the City hideous.