NEW ZEALAND SCENERY.

Evening Star, Issue 21742, 9 June 1934, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND SCENERY.

The New Zealand Government has probably executed a sound business move in having a film made and shown setting forth the scenic wonders and charms of this country. The initial screening of this picture took place in Dunedin yesterday, and the public verdict seemed to be altogether favourable. The choice of subjects is comprehensive and in no way partisan, and if any criticism is permissible it may be on the ground that it is a pity that such excellent photography is in some cases a little too evanescent. In the attempt to compress the screening into the time allowed some scenes ,on which the, eye desires to linger merge into one another with a rapidity which causes regrets. A full half'of an evening’s programme would not have been too much for this subject to occupy. Doubtless a proportion of every picture theatre attendance where this reel is displayed will have visited at least some of the places shown; but not every one, especially in these days, can afford to travel far or frequently, and to induce the travel habit, when circumstances again permit, the more explicit the invitation the better. Lord Bledisloe stated this week that it is a little disconcerting to find that most New Zealanders, even those of means, know relatively little of their own country. He himself has made the most of his opportunities, and be urges others to do the same, so that they may be authentic uuofficiai tourist agents when meeting visitors to our shores. It is quite certain that on terminating his period of office here Lord Bledisloe will be a vigorous and enthusiastic extoller of New Zealand as possessing scenic attractions second to none. Promotion of the knowledge of our own land he regards as a muchneeded want, and it is evident that he regards our tourist traffic as presenting possibilities of revenue far in excess of what it already furnishes, perhaps the most lucrative of all the industries in the dominion. That time may possibly come, but perhaps not before there is a far more equitable distribution of the world’s wealth.