LEI TERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3037, 26 March 1917, Page 6

LEI TERS TO THE EDITOR

IN OTNCE OF PICTURE SHOWS

Sir, —As' a constant attendant at picture the letter from "Light" published hi this morning's issue causes me Bo."ne astonishment. His right to pass' jwlgment is based evidently on the tact- that he "rarely attends a picture sh<>w." , If he did, uu would find that the seav problem is less in evidence at picture stoiow6.tb.au at any other form of entertainment or in tiie literature of our day. . As to the advertisement; to .'which he objects, can he base any objection w the enforcement in a picture play, of a great Bible lesson? if n "I'rue Parent" is one who believes-that ignorance will help innocence, then 1 am not one, nor do I believe thai the everJastiug lesson of. the picture' drama, i.e., that evil is invariably punished, can do anyone, however young, any harm. ■ , •

Does "Light" know that the* "desert island and snow-bound-i'or-.win'ter scheme" dramas were both written ..ty the lley. Gyrus Townshend Brady, the, books from which they were picturiseU being obtainable at any library. It is curious that these howle for a severer interference with freedom of speech always proceed from people who do not go to the movies. Wliat about the many thousands who go to see a picture like the one referred to by ."Light.", Are we only the debased'and uncultured members of the community, or are wo reasonably people who enjoy a story with a" moral as long as there is not too much canb in the presentation of it? The nom-de-plume "Light" is a misnomer. What ne would like is evidently "Darkness," the darkness of intolerance and oppression.—" am, etc., , ■ .... PICTURE FOLLOWER.

Sir, — lie "Light's" letter ou the 21at instant on picture. shows. He 'speaks of rarely attending a picture «how. 1 consider picture shows are like books and individuals:, it is only , by intimacj' can we judge them fairly'and correctly.... I am acquainted with people who are always strongly condemning moving pictures, and yet; have never been inside a picture theatre. It is true that some of the se% pictures may not suit all tastes, but what about cowboys,. detective stories, comedies, etoi —they all have come under condemnation by certain people. 1 am the mother of a family, mostly grown up. Beiug infirm after a severe illness, 1 went to the pictures in tne first instance as a place to rest both body and mind. Afterwards, becoming interested, I became a regular patron, and so far have found-nothing to shock me, and many things to help. As far as children are. concsmed, their minds are not advanced far enough to. understand such things as problems. ! I find with ray own daughter, over 14 years, certain things are a blank to her—in- fact, it is a case of "To the pure all things are pure." Before picture shows were even thought of girls and boys were by tho open streets and evil companions, and parents were, unconscious of it until disgrace came .to their doors. Many a warning has been illust.ra.tetj on a moving a warning not only to sons and daughters, but to parents as well. It does joung people no harm to see pitfalls they may fall into, and .which by being shown to them can be avoided. The same lesson given in the dry tone of a pectufe may not succeed so well. —I am, etc., A , MOTHER., Webb Street, March 21'. ;