In today's world of instant world wide communications it is easy to forget just how isolated people on the 'home front' felt during the First World War. Most combat was taking place on the opposite side of the world from New Zealand, and photographs from Gallipoli took six months to arrive and be printed. Even the newsreels showing 'the front' and army camps were screened months after the events happened. So, a glimpse of the men in command of the allied armies provided some sense of control and connection.

General Foch was an innovative commander and one who was big enough to admit mistakes and learn from them. On the 26th of March 1918 this French General was appointed the head of all Allied forces- a big change from the previous squabbling between the British and French commands. Foch's authority did not extend to overruling national commands, but he could at least coordinate strategy and direction of battle and by being the 'head' of all armies he could shelter his subordinate commanders from political interference. 

This slide is another from MAVtech's collection which focuses on the New Zealand Government's recruitment efforts during World War One. A sticking point for many men was leaving their wives and sweethearts if they enlisted, and this slide tries to counter this. It suggests that even if women were saying for men to go, they were thinking it and hit this point home by insinuating that the 'real men' were in uniform. 

The slide even portrays the New Zealand nation as a young women, urging men to leap to her defence. At the same time as this slide screened there were posters pitched towards women. These said that if a man would abandon his country in a time of need he would abandon his wife as well. 

Despite these slides many men were understandably cautious about signing up and risking being shot, and the government introduced conscription in 1916.

Adamson Dudley Advertising was founded in May 1943 in Christchurch. It is unknown whether this slide was shown outside of the South Island or not, but ones like it would have been screened throughout New Zealand.

At the time, taxes were high to enable the New Zealand to keeping fighting in the Second World War, but citizens were urged to spend any disposable income with the war effort. War Bonds went towards the war effort and Patriotic Appeals like this one provided comforts to troops on the front lines, on leave and in prisoner-of-war camps.  The funds also helped toward rehabilitating returning service personnel. 

Local committees and elected Councils worked on collecting donations in their areas. Raffles were also held to raise money. Those who were judged to have the means to pay received personal letters and visits so if you looked wealthy you could expect some attention!   

Adamson Dudley Advertising must have done a good job as company records show them as being registered up until 1995!