ADVERTISING ON SEATS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22512, 21 September 1938, Page 8

ADVERTISING ON SEATS

Action of Wellington City Council STRONG DISAPPROVAL EXPRESSED ITHE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, September 20. Resentment at the action of the Wellington City Council in permitting the erection in Wellington streets' of" "unsightly" seats, carrying advertising panels, was voiced at a meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce to-night. It was decided to write to the council strongly protesting at the disfigurement of the city. Mr A. L. Wall said that it seemed to him that the city council had put up a few seats to see what would happen. Something had happened; but not enough, and accordingly the council had felt emboldened to go on with the scheme, with the result that instead of a few seats round the town new ones were going up every morning. "I can conceive of no action on the part of the City Council more lowering to the dignity of the city than to use the streets as hoardings," added Mr Wall. "One can understand private firms advertising on their own land; but it is quite another matter for the City Council, without the permission of the ratepayers, to use the city streets as a mart where it can gain a few shekels. I think it is entirely wrong, and I think we should be the starting point of a new campaign to show the Mayor and councillors that we don't want them to be making money in that fashion. The rates; can stand a few seats." Mr M. G. C. McCaul: When commercial interests are permitted to disfigure the city there is nothing that we, as representing commercial interests in this city, can say that would be sufficiently against it. "We stand for the ideals of commerce, and not for mere moneygrubbing," said Mr McCaul. "As Wellington men, we are proud of our city, and we don't want to see it disfigured. We, can't do better than recommend citizens to institute a boycott against those who advertise on the seats. If those people who advertise find their shops empty, they will soon mend their ways." Mr Wall moved that a letter of protest be sent to the City Council, and that the Automobile Association and the Beautifying Society be asked to reiterate their protests. Captain S. Holm said the boycott was already in operation, and he knew of one firm that was withdrawing all its advertising, no matter what it cost.

Mr Wall's motion was carried.