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Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1919, Page 2

' The value of the cinematograph as an advertising medium was apparent to all those who witnessed the display of the Westland scenic and industrial picture at the Princess Theatre on Wednesday night. It was manifest that the Westland scenery will stand public exhibiItion and if shown abroad it is distinctive enough to catch the eye and engage the attention of the myriad of people who during the year go holidaymaking. To the ordinary city-dweller • Westland provides a change and a relief in scene which supplies the elixir of life. Here there is a freshness in the air, and a verdant outlook which is a charm and a rest to the eye and the mind. Westland has a great asset in its scenic beauties, which in many ♦respects are in|comparable. This unmatched glory requires to be noised abroad, and a picture such as that exhibited this week is just the sort of _ vehicle to convey to outsiders what Westland is like and where a holiday and restful change can be spent in delightful isurroujndings. The Westland y Chamber of Commerce has justified its existence by, being the prime cause to bring about so fine an advertisement for ,f the district. It now remains for that body to go'further and take the neces- >. sary steps to see that the film is exhibited as widely as possible throughout the Dominion. The district never d had so fine an opportunty to advertise its scenic wares and the present e chance should be seized and utilised to the fullest extent. We hope this will all come to pass, in. good time.

The fact that a licensing poll is to take place also o n the general polling day on the 17th. December, .does not appear to be generally known locally. There seems to fie quite an amount of indifference also ip regard to the issues, even with those who know of the coming event. The poll a few months ago on prohibition wnn compensation did not. settle the liquor question, except for the time being. The issue is to be put before the people again, but this time in a garb somewhat varied, The prohibition issue will be on the ballot paper, but the compensation clause is removed. Instead there will be the question of State control of the liquor business, which, if carried wjjl involve a greater national outlay than compensation itself. There is a. third issue, that of continuance, to leave matters as they are under license. Electors should take the whole subject into consideration betimes. The question is one dealing with the whole economic interests of the Dominion, and is not to he treated lightly. It would appear if the liquor trade is necessary it is cheaper to conduct it under license than State control. Hie 'next question is to those who believe the trade should go, can the country afford to do so—that is can the upsetting of the finances of the country, local bodies and private interests, be faced with any assurance of national and provincial comfort and security at this juncture? On the broad issue the soundest and safest course appeals to be to leave matters as they are and deal with other and more pressing domestic problems which are affecting the national welfare. This suggestion might well bp pondered over by the electors generally.