THE MOVIES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3058, 20 April 1917, Page 8

THE MOVIES

——: e THE CENSORSHIP PROBLEM . EXTENSION DEMANDED A conference convened .by the New Zealand Catholic Federation was held in St! Patrick's Hall, Boulcott Street, last evening to consider matters connected with-'the film censorship. Councillor Frost was voted to tho chair. Tho attendance was small. ' The chairman said that tho thanks of tho community were due to the federation for tho reforms it had already secured .in connection with the kinomatograph entertainment. Tho present film censorship was duo largely to the- efforts that had been made by tho federation. The censorship, had done some good, but more remained to_ bo done on the lines that would be indicated in the motion to bo placed before the meeting. Several apologies for absence wore received, including on© from the Mayor of Wellington, who stated that ho was in sympathy with the proposal made bv the federation. "Mr. J. J. L.'Burke, chairman of tho Dominion Executive of the Catholic Federation, moved as follows: — (a) That this conference of de|e- '. gates from..tho local., goyerniii" . bodies, cducationul authorities, and organisations concerned with the social welfare of the Dominion, de- ■ sires to thank, the Government for placing oil the ..Statute Book tho. ■ Act under which all kinemato- ■ graph- films are subject to revision ' of the official censor. (b) Whilst the conference agrees that a certain amount of good has been' done, it is of opinion that much remain's yet to do, and that . several, of tho films officially ap- ' proved have not been of an elevating tendoncy, but, the reverse. (c) This conference is of opinion ; I that as the' right of appeal against - the decision'of the censor is given by law to the,picture film proprietors,' an equal right should.- bo given to some body representing all sections of tho public. . (d) This conference- deprecates- : in the strongest manner the cxhi- " bition of objectionable picture postters,.such as have been publicly,displayed! to advertise kinemaper- ■ forniances and stage - . . j . '(c) That the Government bo re- . quested to amend tho Kinemato"graph Film Censorship Ac-V 1916) in .the. direction- above 'indicated, Also : to ' ameiid the Indecent and Offensive Publications Act with, a view. to. giving the ■ police l 'and ; municipal authorities power to pre-' ' 'vent the display of. posters- and ,-'publication of advertisements ' which, - while- not actually immoral : or.indecent,-are of an offensive and demoralisiing -tendency. Ho said that the need for reforms on the lines indicated would be admitted by most, people. ■ The posters and pictures were often much worse than the actual film's, since they had not been subject to any censorship. The constitution- of ahody representative of the publicmight present some difficulties,;but that.would bo a matter ,for discussion. ■ . ■ -The motion was seconded by Prolessor Garrow (Otago). :;In the course of discussion it was suggested that any educational organisation, religious- hotly, or local authority -should' have the right, to. appeal against pictures and posters. Speakers emphasised that the posters shown outside, picture theatres sometimes advertised the very scenes that the film 'ceiisorTexcised:-- --. . --i- . Councillor Skegg (Karori Borough

Council) said that) ho, thought the move- was being made at an inopportune, time.—Tho. conference could not reasonably-demand tbit. every film should "be of .an "eloyating".-,character. Some of tho pictures''naturally would be merely amusing or, entertaining. The ■proposals contained in -tho motion, moreover, would"- compel:, tho picture proprietors to run tlio gauntlet'of a whole series of protests. A film might do objectionable to one section of the community without being undesirable from a, general point.of .viow. Councillor Skegg added that ho .thought the censor was doing good work.■; .-■ The clauses of tlio: motion were considered seriatim. , . Clause (b) was deleted. On : .tho . suggestion of Professor Garrow, clause (c) was amended by tho substitution" .of "local authorities, educational organisations, and religious bodies" for the body mentioned in the clause. "■■;'■ Clause, (d) was'struck out as being covered by the succeedinc; clause. ■ The motion as amended was adopted by the meeting, and; it was decided that the views of the delegates should bo conveyed to the Minister of Internal Affairs by letter.