NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 538, 15 December 1928, Page 8 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT

Publicity Aims and Equipment The work of a small band of enthusiastic New Zealanders who commenced operations in the old building, that a short while back housed the Government Film censor and the Publicity Office cameramen, has resulted in the successful establishment of the Publicity Office and the building of the splendid new laboratory illustrated on these pages, equipped with every modern device for the production of highgrade pictures. A scant five years ago, many people scouted the idea of the successful development of film work in this Dominion; it did not seem possible to bring it to anything approaching the state of perfection attained by Hollywood. How far this has been achieved may be judged by anyone who views the weekly release from the Government Studio of the “Know New Zealand First” series of scenic and topical pictures now being screened throughout the Dominion. Output of Film Five years ago, the output of New Zealand Government Publicity Film totalled some 8,000 feet annually. Although the laboratory is capable of turning our 20,000 feet per day if necessary, the present output consists of 1 0,000 feet per week, comprising approximately fourteen pictures, seven of which are released for showing in Australia, two in New Zealand, and including four pictures sent to the High Commissioner, London. There is also a special showing in America and the United Kingdom. When it is considered that these films are nightly screened to millions of people in the countries mentioned, some idea of the enormous advertising value of this medium may be gained. Commencing with purely scenic subjects, the office has now, with the aid of its fine modern equipment, taken up the production of special pictures, notably the series entitled “The Maori As He Was,” covering some of the picturesque ceremonies and arts and crafts of this accomplished race. Topical events illustrating happenings and incidents of special significance in the Dominion, are released to the world under the title of “New Zealand News and Views,” and these serve to show something of the progressive nature of our country and its cities. Value of Film Advertising The great value of this film work is already abundantly apparent in the increasing and lively interest being displayed about New Zealand by the world at large. Within the last two years even, the dispatch of films and other publicity material to the United States alone has brought the Dominion well into prominence, so that a continuance of this policy is bound to have far-reaching effects abroad. A recent instance of the power of the screen in bringing events home to people in all parts of the world, occurred in the filming of the final stages of Kingsford Smith’s epoch-making flight across the