TELLING THE WORLD

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1929, Page 3

TELLING THE WORLD

NEW ZEALAND’S CHARMS

PUBLICITY OFFICE WORK

FILMS BY THE MILE.

Jn a world drenched with publicity and advertising of every sort there is little siucoas in prospect for the enterprise which 'fails to make itself known in quarters calculated to be productive of best results. Hence, New Zealand has set up a Government Publicity Office ,to make her scenic charms and sporting attractions known to the potential tourist overseas Valuable service is being rendered by this busy, if unobtrusive and somewhat neglected, sub-Depart-ment of State, and, the scope of its activities is being extended as year succeeds year. Apart from the familiar monogram of the crown and wprejs “N- Z. Government Publicity Office,” which is flashed on the screen at the end of each film produced by this office, the work of this silent bureau is Title known to New Zealanders. It may b? that people who rarely attend cinema screenings scarcely know that the Government Publicity Office exists, and a description of its work is therefore, of some interest. A party of Parliamentary pressmen was recently afforded an opportunity of inspecting the plant of the Government Publicity Office in Wellington, so that the tjulblic' might be givep information concerning what is being done. CLASSIC SCENIC GEMS. In the.front rank of the activities of the Government Publicity Office is, the production of scenic films, many of which are classic; gems of the cinematographer's art. These films are shown in the cosy little theatre which is part of the suite of rooms occupied by the staff of the Publicity Office on Lamsbton Quay, .Wellington, and admission is free to all visitors,, especially people from abroad. There aio daily screenings during the tourist season. These beautiful scenic films ■we shown throughout New Zealand, and copies are sent abroad to Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada and several other countries. Since New Zealand has been described as the “Sample Room of Nature’’ it follows that there is within the Dominion a {wide field fork cinematography, and this is being increasingly exploited. All the; best o|kour scenery has been “shot,” and ; iiv : .the fire-proof storerooms of the Publicity Office there are copies of films; which depict scenes in every well-known New Zealand'resort. It may be that “talkie” apparatus will be installed in. the not too distant future. With sound and talking effects New Zealand scenic films would be doubly attractive, since Maori lore and legend, aIM illuminating descriptions of the world-famed scenes shown on the screeii/ copld be made paj-t of the entertainnte.iit.

Filips 7 are' produced at the rate of 400,CQOft per year at the Governriient Publicity Office’s studio at Miramar. i This studio, which covers about an acre of groum}, is contained in a modern brick Ibuilding, and it embodies all the latest mechanical devices and apparatus of moviedom. Operated in conjunction with New Zealand private enterprise, the studio is a Hollywood in miniature, even to elaborate interior sets, special floodlighting effects, and a diving bell for submarine photography. From the great tank of distilled watch- on the roof to the giant drying drums, on which the film from the developer tank is spread, the studio is a model of mechanical perfection. Enough has been said of the film producing side -of the Publicitv Office’s work, which is earned on hand in hand with the making olf beautiful “still” photographs and attractive coloured posters. In the. Lambton Quay headquarters there are hooks and filing cabinets packed with cx-oertly-finished photographs of New Zealand cities and sdenies. These are .available for tourists at", a moderate oliarge, and tourist and newspaper syndicates throughout the world are supplied in quantities. All the best of the photographs have been enlarged and done in colour, the result being landscape pictures of great beauty. New Zealand pictures of this description may be found in the entrance halls of the best hotels and tourist offices throughout the world.

UNDER THE- TRAVELLER’S EYE

There is an increasing demand for hold coloured posters, and in this respect the New Zealand Government Publicity Office is keeping pace with the best efforts of other countries. At the Miramar studio there is a room decked with posters from many lands and most of them are powerfully arresting, yet the leaping swordfish. Maori maiden of the thermal reeion and majestic- sweep of fiordland, which the New Zealand posters depict, stand out in pleasing prominence. Mr A. H. Messenger, chief publicity officer, who has brought the Department- v,r to a high state of perfection within n very few years, has used his journalistic gifts to good effect in the production of innumerable folders am l booklets, all profusely illustrated. These are sent abroad in tens of thousands for distribution through the tourist agencies and on board passenger steamers.