PICTURE CENSORSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1882, 16 October 1913, Page 8

PICTURE CENSORSHIP.

THE QUESTION IN AUSTRALIA,

The question of whether a censorship of pictures is or is not necessary is one of interest in Australia just now. In Victoria various members of tho police forco were instructed to make inquiries, and the reports appear fairly unanimous that some pictures have undesirable effects.

Mr. John, Milne, Inspecting Superintendent, in forwarding tho reports, expresses tho opinion that a censorship is necessary, and asks whether Section 6 of tho Theatres Act relating to decorum could bo resorted to. i. .

A sub-inspector said that mahy of the films shown in and about the city of 'Melbourne "must have a pernicious effect upon tho minds and characters of tho young." Ho added:

"I refer more particularly to tho presentations of dancing and crim- / inal acts, sensational crimes, and those coarse, suggestive, and clandestine love scenes so often seen at such entertainments, which,appar- - ently have a. much greator attraction for juveniles than those having an educational and beneficial moral influence. . . A censorship of picture films is badly needed in this State." Wild West pictures are objected to, and protest is made against tho turning down of the lights. Discussing tho statements made and published, Mr. W. Barrington Miller, general manager of the Greater J. D. Williams Amusement Co., said (acioiuing to tho Sydney "Sun") that far too much attention had been given by the public to the allegations of certain police constables of a character hostile to tho whole picture show business, and far too little to the woll-considered opinions expressed by some of tTio police critics that picture shows were more of a boon to the community than a detrimental influence. "There is no better, no' more healthy entertainment on earth than is provided by the photoplay theatres. When tlio proprietors of these theatres take tho elaborate precautions that* we and others had adopted —to guard against tho exhibition of pictures in any degree objectionable—it is annoying to read ill the metropolitan press such childish, ill-considered, and unfair criticisms as have been expressed in certain quarters. Whatever necessity thero . is," concluded Sir. Miller, '"for the censor-ship of stago plays, the big picture theatre-owners may be trusted to conform fully to tho requirements of public morals."

Epidemic bulletin: —Tho District Health Officer, Auckland, reported:— "Nothing fresh" on October 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. On October 13 ho reported:— "Three fresh European cases in Auckland suburbs." On October 14:—"No fresh cases in Auckland City, suburbs, or district."

Tlio drawing of the art union in connection with the Academy's annual exhibition takes place at the Art Gallery at 8 o'clock this evening. Tho exhibition closes at tho eiid of this week.

The 72nd anniversary of tlio AVesloy Church Sunday School, Taranaki Street, was celebrated last evening hy a successful tea and concert. Tile singing by tho scholars was greatly enjoyed, as was tho : r representation of tho service. "Pilgrim Travellers,"