The last thing anyone expected when going to the cinema was being presented with an investment opportunity (unless the cinema happened to be for sale!) but life can provide surprises. Government Works Loans were internal borrowings by the Government to fund public works. Money was sourced from individuals and then paid back with interest. 

According to the 1959 'Hansard' records, 3,772 people subscribed to the 1959 Works Loan, with 939 people loaning under 200 pounds to the scheme. Government Departments also took part in the loan. The previous year's Work Loan raised fifteen million pounds! (although it had more subscribers than 1959's).

Declining voter turnout is an issue in Aotearoa's politics- but even when voter turnout was high the authorities wanted to make sure everyone was enrolled. This advertising slide would have been screened in cinemas alongside commercial advertising and ads for upcoming movies. With the average Kiwi making seventeen trips to the cinema a year in 1960, this was one of the best ways to reach an audience. 

This slide bears the markings of 'Screens Advertising Limited'- one of the two main providers of cinema advertising. It's competitor, 'Dominion Screens Limited', was part of Amalgamated Cinemas and only serviced Amalgamated chain theatres. 'Screens Advertising Limited' looked after the second big chain (Kerridge-Oden) and the smaller independent theatres such as Foxton's Coronation Hall. By the late 1950s, 'Dominion Screens Limited' offered to screen short films for advertisers as well. As early as 1940, 'Screens Advertising Limited' had Art Directors to help advertisers design their slides..