The passage of time changes how we view images from the past. At the time (probably the 1960s) the Levin Borough Council was encouraging residents to use their gas services. Councils managed the majority of New Zealand's gas supply until the 1989 local government reforms, with many managing electricity too.

In many respects this slide has not aged well. Asides from the sexism of 'Smart Women Cook With Gas' there is the somewhat awkward image of a lady dressed up for a social evening having a quick fry up on the gas stove! But it must have appeared 'natural' at the time.....

Although many cinema advertising slides were taken out by businesses, this form of promotion was also used by charities, clubs, government departments and the cinemas themselves. This one is part advertisement, part public service announcement. 

Public appeals like this one were screened during cinema intermissions by placing the slide into a special holder in the projector for a couple of seconds (any more and the slide would crack!).

Many of these 'appeal' slides (and ones advertising upcoming film screenings) had a blank space at the bottom for the projectionist to add the latest details in removeable ink. Some blank slides were kept on hand for 'on the spot' messages like an appeal for a doctor if there was a medical emergency in the cinema.

Compared to many of MAVtech's advertising slides this one is quite basic- but it would have gotten it's message across well. It probably dates to the 1950s/1960s- long before we had a national blood donation service, hence the lack of logos.

In the time before the internet 'watching the papers' was a great way to get the word out....