THE FIGHT PICTURES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 867, 13 July 1910, Page 7

THE FIGHT PICTURES.

AUSTRALIAN PROTEST. MR. FISHER TALKS STRAIGHT. NO SPECIAL ACTION. By Telcßraph-Press Association-CopyrigiH (Rec. July 12, 9.20 p.m.) Melbourne, July 12. A large, deputation of clergymen and others, claiming to represent practically the whole of the forces acting for the moral good of the community, waited on the Federal Prime Minister, Mr. .Fisher, and urged him to prohibit the importation of kinematograph films of the Johnson-Jeffries, fight.

The deputation urged that the exhibition of the pictures would have a bad moral effect generally, and a bad effect educationally on the youth of the country'.

The Rev. Mr. Vorrall expressed the opinion that it would be simply na : tional suicide to allow the ■ films to be shown here or elsewhere in the Empire, and a lady d.eputationist claimed that the sight of ill-deeds was responsible for ill-deeds being done.

While the deputation wanted the Johnson films especially prohibited, it also desired that others of a similar character should be kept out.

Mr. Fisher, in replying, stated that he would deal with the question of a general prohibition later. As to the Johnson fight pictures they could not be barred unless they were found to be indecent.

Mr. Fisher said he would not legislate for one particular event.. He would not think of taking steps to prohibit boxing, much as he abhorred prize fighting, which introduced a purely commercial spirit.

The press reports of the fight, disclosed' nothing more degrading than was ordinarily connected with boxing, and he had no intention of asking the Department to prohibit the introduction of tho films.

In conclusion, Mr. Fisher declared that he was not going to be driven by the little excitable feeling which had arisen.

AUSTRALIAN PETITIONS,

Sydney, July 12. A number of petitions to the Government,' protesting against the introduction of the Johnson-Jeffries fight pictures to the Commonwealth, are being prepared.

HOUSE OF COMMONS QUESTION. PROHIBITION NOT POSSIBLE.

London, July 11. Replying to a question in the House of Commons, the Home Secretary (Mr. Winston Churchill) stated he had not the power to prohibit the exhibition of films of .the Johnson-Jeffries fight.

POSITION IN NEW ZEALAND

WELLINGTON PRESBYTERY'S VIEW. Uncompromising hostility was evinced by tho members of the Wellington Presbytery yesterday, towards any suggestion of permitting kinetnatograpii shows of tho recent Jeffries-Johnson fight at Ren'o, Nevada. Tho Moderator (Rev. B. Inglid), introducing a motion on the subject, referred to the pitiable fact that prayers were offered up for Johnson's success by negro preachers, and that tho fervour of their congregations -was stimulated by pulpit kinematogrnph displays of the progress of the fight. That sort' of thing was the grossest travesty of the Christian religion, though it had to be remembered that the offenders were ' peoplo of clouded intelligence and inferior race. He moved:—

"That tliis Presbytery expresses its strong disapproval ■- of the recent Jeffries-Johnson fight in America, which has attracted world-wide attention, and which was followed by scenes of brutality and bloodshed. The Presbytery regards such exhibitions as demoralising to the community, and respectfully urges the City Council and Government, in . the interests of tho public, to fall into line with many of the American. States and cities by prohibiting the representations of the eontest by means of moving pictures within the Dominion of Now Zealand, that a copy of this resolution bo forwarded to tho City Council and tho Prime' Minister."

The resolution was adopted unanimously.

"HUMANE SENTIMENT OUTRAGED."'

(By Telegraph.—Pres? Association.> Christchurch, July 12. Some aspects of the-Jeffries-Johnson contest were discussed at a meeting of the 'Christchurch Presbytery this morning.' The Rev. C. Murray expressed tho opinion, that the Presbytery should protest against the publication in the papers of the horrible details of prize fights. Ho could feel some sympathy with editors who felt themselves under a sort of obligation to put reports in their papers. Still reports of these fights had a demoralising effect, and the Church should express its mind on the evil, and assist to put it down as much as lay in their power. It was lamentable to see tho tremendous interest which was being taken in these contests. The newspapers, perhaps, had to cater for the wants, of tho public, but tho Church should assist editors to eliminate these gruesome details from their columns. He moved: — "That the Presbytery strongly protests against brutal details of boxing contests being reported in tho columns of the public press, to the gross outrage of humane sentiment, and pledges itself to oppose to the utmost of its power the representation of these horrible exhibitions by kinematograph or other process." The Rev. J. Johnston, who seconded tho motion, said that the thing was having a bad effect on children. They were taking a deeper interest in boxing, almost, than in anything else, and it was having a degrading influence on them.

The Rev. Mr. Wood. understood that the motion was not against boxing, as anpliod to physical culture and the use of the gloves.

The Rev. C. Murray replied thnt he was not referring to boxing per so. The motion was carried.