PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 292, 4 August 1932, Page 5

PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN

COUNCIL DISCUSSIQN VARYING VIEWS ON VALUE OF ADVERTISING ; . ROTORUA. j EXTRA CARNIVAL PROPOSED. I The question of advertising Rotorua came in for some discussion at [ last night's meeting of the Rotorua j Borough Council. The Publicity and I Amusement committee reported that | no definite replies had been received j from the Railway or Tourist Depart- ; ments regarding their assistance in ( the proposed advertising campaign. Commenting upon the failure of these departments to reply stating their intentions, Cr. A. H. Coleman pomted out "that the provision of £300 on the estimates for this purpose had been made on the su^o^T tion that support would be forthcoming from the departments. He moved that a definite reply be'aske'd for, and if the help was not.foi'theommg, the amusement.. rate be not struck. Cr. E. T. Johnson pointed out that Ihe departments might not be prepared to go into the advertising campaign at once, but might do so after the holidays. If the departments would not co-operate it would be handy to have the money from the rate to use on some other scheme for advertising Rotorua. Would it not be possibie to hold a big sports carnival about October in conjunction with the opening of the Blue Bath. It would bring a good number of oeople here at a time v/hen the town was quiet. He would not like to sea the £300 cut out of the estimates in the meancime. Cr. Coleman con.inued that it was not an oppo"tune time to spend large 3ums on advertising, but if they could get £900 advertising for £300 't was no doubt wise to take adyantage of the opportunity. It was no use, )however, speAuing money on earnivals before Christmas. If no hclp was forthcoming from the departments, he would oppose spending £300. In seeonding the motion Cr., A. Smith declared that 70 per cent. of the money spent on advertising was wasted, because it was not done in the right way. People would not ieave their homes on holidays before Christmas. Cr. G. Urquhart said he would like to see the rate stand at the same as iast year. If the advertising scheme did not come forward- the money could be carried forward and it would reduce the rate next year. Cr. N. M. Keane agreed that the rate should stand. It was his op'nion that when times were bad they should go out after business; good times would look after themselves. Possibly a carnival in October would do good. They must keep the to\Yn aiive. The Mayor (Mr. T. Jackson) was in sympathy with the suggestion that the departments be asked for "a aefinite repiy as to their intentions. He could not support the resokrtion. It was desirable to have finality, but the amount of the rate should rpmain upon the estimates. T'he resolutioP upon being put to tlie meeting was lost.