FILM CENSORSHIP

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2634, 3 December 1915, Page 7

FILM CENSORSHIP

GOVERNMENT ACTION

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

DEFINITE PROMISE GIVEN

A promise that ho would recommend i» the Government the introduction of legislation to provide for a censorship of kinoma films was mado yesterday by the Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister of Internal Affairs) to a deputation which interviewed hiiu 011 the subject. Tho deputation, which was introduced by the Hon. J. G. W. Ait-ken, submitted to the Minister the resolution passed by the conference held the previous evenand four chosen speakers supported it. Represented at tho deputation were 24 citv and borough councils, 10 social organisations, 0 education institutes, and 5 education boards.

Tho speakers were: Mr.?. Atkinson, representing the Society for the Protection of Women and Children and the Women's Christian Temperance Union; Mr. J. J. L. Burke, representing the Roman Catholic Federation; Mr. J. Hutoheson, representing the Wellington City, Council; and Mr. J. Costin Webb, president of tho Wellington Branch of the Teachers' Institute. From slightly different points of view the several speakers made out their case for the establishment of a censorship of films. It iyas stated that tnucli of tho humour m certain pictures was /nere grossness, that conjugal infidelity was cither made mock of, or obtruded and depicted all too faithfully, that criminal acts of dishonesty and violence were shown very often, and that the film which professed to teach a moral lesson very often set out to do 60 by showing far too much of evils of which young people of tender years should know nothing. On this latter point it was argued that it was wrong to suppose that virtue could be inculcated by a parade of vice. Mrs. Atkinson said that there was evidence to support the view that the pictures, originating in America, which made light of marriage obligations, were having the effect of causing people here to think lightly and carelessly of marriage bonds. Mr. Webb said" that one lad whom he had known as a pupil in his scliool had lapsed into criminality, • beoause, it was alleged, he had been captivated and influenced by the showing at pictures of burglary and other crimes as more or less interesting adventures. Inquiries* Already Made. The Hon. (J. W. Russell, replying, said that he had listened with pleasure to the speeches. The subject was a most important one, foj' throughout all the speeches emphasis had been laid upon tlie fact that the pictures that were being shown were likely to have a bad effect upon the temperament and disposition, and, above all, the characters of our young and growing population. He would not be fit for the position which he had the honour to occupy unless ho realised that a subject of this kind, brought under'his notice by 6iich a large and representative deputation, should command his sympathetic and careful consideration. He wished to congratulate the Roman Catholic Federation on the work it had done in this matter. It had succeeded in focussing a pre-existing public opinion, and had brought together a deputation representing Nen' Zealand. In this the Federation had done a great public servicte. He was glad that the deputation was not ill- any way sectarian or specially representative of the religious sentiment of the country. The deputation came representing the people, and representing the children in particular. This was not. the first time on which he'had" had' occasion to consider this matter. As long ago as 1912, when lie held the position of -Minister of Internal Affairs, lie had discussed the subject of film censorship with the head of the Department (Mr. Hislop), and since that time the Department of Internal Affairs had kept in touch witli what was being don« in other parts of the world. When, towards the end of August last ; the Roman Catholic Federation interviewed him about the censorship of films, and the dissemination of evil literature, he communicated with the Minister in Charge of Police. Mr. Herdman issued ei circular to tho police directing that inquiries should be'conducted as to the sort of pictures being shown, and the possible effect of undesirable pictures. JJy that circular tho opinions of iJ police all over Now Zealand were obtained, and Were still on record, and there was a consensus of opinion among the policc, who were not "woveand who were not melt specially likelv to regard questions from a puritanical viewpoint, that there was need for a censorship_of films. (Applause.) With these opinions before it, coming from representative police officers, from tho Commissioner down to the constable m charge of a small station, no Government could refuse to admit the importance of the question which the deputation had raised.

The British Censorship. He would refer to - what had been done in other countries. In Great Britain, in 1912, there was set up a voluntary censorship by tho film producing firms'. They selected for the position one Mr. Red ward, who had been an examiner of plays under the Lord Chancellor's Office. The salarj paid to Mr. Redward was £1000 a year, and to make the censorship self-supporting charges were made as follow:—3s. per 1000 ft. of lilm, payable by the proprietors of the film; 3d, per film by the man who hired the film, and os. per annum per hall by the man who exhibited it He mentioned these facts to show tliat a scheme of film censorship could be made self-supporting, and if any scheme <vero adopted in New Zealand it would not place any additional burden on the finances of the country. While at tho outset Mr. Redward declined to state that any particular subject would be barred under the censorship, he indicated t'hat these w-re certain subjects which must be undesirable, such as representations of murders, suicides, and prize-fights. Films were divided by Mr. Redward into two classes—one for conoral exhibition, aijd olio for children. This censorship in England had not given satisfaction to the film proprietors. They wanted dividends, and t'hey were not pleased when subjects which they regarded as likely to be tho most taking wero excluded, and yet- these taking subjects might bo among those which ought to he suppressed. (Hear, hear.) Censorship is Desirable. "You will understand at once from what I have saiu that I think a censorship in New Zealand is desirable." said Mr. Russell, "and as Minister of Internal Affairs I am prepared to recommend my colleagues to bring down next session the necessary ■ legislation to provide for it. From what I know of the constitution of the Government, realising that all tho nicnibeis of tho Government arc men who will take what I think is the' proper view' of this question, I have no doubt that in due course legislation will be proposed." (Applause.) Mr._ Russell said he thought local censorship would bo impracticable and worthless. Tho offect plight be that films banned in Auckland could lie shown in Wellington, or vico versa. Only one plan was possible, and that was the establishment of a board in Wellington, before which every film on arrival in New Zealand must be soieened before it ivas publicly exhibited. It would have to bo made a penal offence for any mau

to exhibit a picture in New Zeal,mid which had not been passed by the Sew Zealand Board of Censors'. (Hear, liear.) fc Choice of the Board, A groat- deal must depend upon the members of tho hoard selected. Tho position would be a most responsible one, and it would he his business, if the necessary legislation should be passed, to sec tliiit_ the men appointed were not narrow-minded men, because tho people who went to great expense in preparing or procuring liims had a right to have their interests considered, and it would be unfair for the State to practically confiscate large sums of money expended on films which, though regarded as _ unobjectionable in other countries, might be declared objectionablo here' by a narrow-minded board, ft would be his business to see that men of the proper class were placed 011 the board. With regard to the suggestion made that women should bo put 011 the board, lie was not prepared to make a statement, but he would promise to give it careful consideration. (Laughter.) Tho censorship would probably divide, films into three masses —those for exhibition before adults only, those for general exhibition, and those for children.

Kilm proprietors in England were favourable t'o a censorship. The question was submitted to all the leading comand nearly all of them expressed a desire that a censorship should be established. Of course, these men icalised that it was only by retaining the support of the intelligent, cleant'hiqking portion of the public that they could get and keep a good business. A man might get au ephemeral business by purveying an unclean show, but lie would not- keep his business. In conclusion he assured the deputation that their request would have his attention, and it would be his earnest desire to maintain in the. picture theatres <i high standard of morality and decency not only for children, but l'or adults also. Hut lie would urge the deputation not to jeopardise the scheme by tryiug to push it too far. (Hear, hear, and applause.)