THOSE GAY COLOURS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1069, 5 September 1930, Page 14

THOSE GAY COLOURS

BRIGHT-PAINTED SIGNS FOR ADVERTISING

COUNCIL ENACTS BY-LAW

Despite strong representations protesting against the City Council’s proposal to ban the use of certain bright colours on painted advertising signs, the council put ■ ■ through a regulatory by-law at a special meeting yesterday afterI noon. I Certain modifications were ! agreed to, however, and the by- ! law will be inoperative for six months, instead of coming into force on September 15. Tto large oil companies protested that the adoption of the original proposal would mean the banning of standard signs, which were really part and parcel of their business. They contended that their business would be seriously penalised if existing colours were prohibited. Since the Works Committee had considered the proposed by-law the City Engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, had suggested further amendments which modified his original proposals. The committee had considered these and recommended to the council that the following be permitted:Background or base. —Black, white, cream, grey, deep blue, brown, deep green. Letters or marks. —Black, white, cream, blue, brown, green, red, yellow, gold, silver. The original range was as follows: Background or base.—Black, white, deep blue, brown, deep green. Letters.—Black, rvhite, deep blue, brown, deep green, gold, silver. Mr. W. Pascoe, one of a deputation which waited on the council to speak on behalf of business interests, remarked that visitors to Auckland always commented on the brightness of the streets, whereas if the by-law were adopted Auckland would become a city of the dead. In any case, the council had no right to limit advertising colours. Mr. L. S. Kelly, on behalf of signwriters, contended that restriction of colours would result in unemployment. ‘•REFER IT BACK” Cr. W. H. Murray moved that the committee's recommendation be referred back so that members concerned in the sign trade and others could be invited to confer in a kindly way with a view to some unanimity. “The trade knows a great deal more about the inner meaning ofL colour schemes than we do,’ said Cr. Murray. Cr. F. N. Bartram seconded. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, pointed out that Cr. Murray’s amendment could not be received in that form. The council had either to delete the whole clause or to confirm it. “There is no reason why a by-law cannot be amended at any time, if found impossible of operation,” said Mr. Entrican. Cr. Murray then moved the deletion of the clause. In seconding. Cr. Bartrum observed that the council was wrong in trying to formulate a hard and fixed rule without consulting those most directly concerned. “HORRORS” “I will undertake to take the council within a radius of 50 yards of this chamber and convince you of the need for some control of colour signs,” remarked Cr. T. Bloodworth. “People who have to live facing these painted walls have the right to object, and they have objected more than once. I trust that the by-law will have the effect of inducing the people who perpetrated these horrors to consult the public's feelings in future.”

The council had no right to be dogmatic. said Cr. H. P. Burton. If he thought these oil companies would be prevented from carrying on their business on account of this by-law, he would not be in favour of the clause, but he did not think they would be prevented. “At present a man may erect a sign in hideous yellow and we have no power or control over it,” said Cr. G. Grey Campbell, in suggesting that the position would be met by a clause giving the council the right to pro- ! hibit any sign which interfered with the amenities of the neighbourhood, or was otherwise undesirable. Cr. J. Dempsey, chairman of the Works Committee: I am afraid I cannot accept the suggestion. You can imagine what a time the Works Committee would have going round examining every sign in the City. Mr. Entrican: I suggest that the by-law be given six months’ trial. Cr. Bartram: That will be consoling to those who are put out of work. On Cr. Murray’s amendment being put it was thrown out. by 10 votes to five. The division list was as follows: For (five). —Crs.' Murray, Bartram, W. L. Casey, J. B. Paterson and G. G. Ashley. Against (10). —Crs. Entrican, Bloodworth, G. W. Hutchison, H. P. Burton, Dempsey, Campbell, B. L. Bagnall, M. J. Coyle, B. M. Irvine and Cr. Alice Basten. Cr. Paterson then moved that the use of approved chrome be permitted. “Chrome is about the njost offensive colour of all,” said Cr. Dempsey. “One oil company has had that colour for the last 30 years, and I think it is very unfair to ask them to change it now,” declared Cr. Casey. Cr. Paterson’s amendment was lost on the casting vote of the DeputyMayor. Cr. Bartram moved, amid laughter, that all shades of red be added, but the motion was not seconded. After the clause had been formally approved it was agreed to postpone its operation until March 1.