KINEMA POSTERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 29, 29 October 1920, Page 8

KINEMA POSTERS

PROPOSED CENSORSHIP

VIEWS OF THE FILM IMPORTERS

In view of the Government's- proposal that it shall have power to censor not only picture films but also the postens and other matter used to advertise them, a deputation representing all the film importers of New Zealand yes-' terday waited on the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) in order to point out in what ways tliair legitimate interests might be affectod by such a censorship. The spokesmen of the deputation stated that they were not aware of anything .that made it necessary for the Government to tnke this new power of censorship. The people who brought the films into the country were banded together for the purpose of seeing that nothing objectionable ia the way of posters tr other matter was put .out. All the exhibitors had been circularised ' and told that everything objectionable must be avoided. The people in the picture business did not mind the Government's taking power to punish severely those who offended; but they wera sure that the censorship would lead to delay in the advertising, and would eauso real hardship. They were anxious ftt least to have an opportunity of learning the details of any amending Bill that was introduced in connection, with the censorship, in order that they might put forward definite suggestions m the interests of the business. They understood that the censorship of. advertising matter would to some extent devolve upon the local authorities, That might lend to difficulties, as what was thought all right in one town might bo considered objectionable in another. The difficulty was to kuofr what was suggestive.

The Minister observed that "good old common-sense" was a -reliable guide. In his general rei>ly, Mr.. Anderson stated Chat the Government had no intention, of doing anything to hamper the picture busiiwss unnecessarily. But the Government must see that nothing objectionable was published, either by way of poster or other advertisement. Ine laws were not made for the honest, straightforward people, but. for ' the crooked people, so (hat those who did no wrong would havy nothing to fear.