PICTURE FILMS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1921, Page 4

PICTURE FILMS

STRAIGHT TALK FROM THE MINISTER, WELLINGTON, Feb. 4, This afternoon a deputation from the Film Renters’ Association, headed by Mr E, J. Righton, of the New Zealand Pictures Supplies, Ltd., waited upon the Hon G. J. Anderson in reference to the recent edict about cutting objectionable scenes and incidents regarding robbery, murder, etc., out ot the pictures. Noticing that the Press were present, Mr Righton said the deputation understood the interview was to he private. Mr Anderson said there had been

some statements already published by those in the trade, so he had invited the Press to come along, so that the public would hear both sides of the question. . Mr Righton said he did not knou bow the statements got in the Press. No nielli her of their Association had discussed the matter with the Press. Possibly it came from the firm that was outside the Association. Mi Anderson pointed out that opinions from three different sources were given. He was not, he said, complaining of their having done this. All lie wanted was that, these opinions having been published, the other side ol I the question also should be put. The public should know the whole, thing. Mr Righton: We did not commit any breach of faith. Nothing got in with the approval of the Film Renters’ Association. The Press made it their business to pick up information from irresponsible people and men m the street, and the article referred to might have been got in that way. Mr Righton went on that be had been asked for a statement for publica

ti„n in the Christchurch morning papers, and had replied that be could not make any statement. Mr Anderson said that it the deputation wanted to have a private talk with him, he bad no objection to that, |„,l |,e would just make bis point of view public. He then went on to refer to complaints that had conic from the public in the past regarding the quality of the pictures shown, and the improvement that bad been made as the result of the censorship. Within the last twelve months there had been a further agitation, and six months ago it was agreed that the pictures should be marked “adult and universal.” That was done. Then there were complaints about the posters. The trade agreed t„ censoring them, and a considerable improvement took place. There were still complaints about the class oi pictures shown, and at bis suggestion the Government came to the conclusion that these low-class pictures of American “shysters,” “crooks,” and all that sort of thing had got to go. Those pictures were such that a hoy seeing them, ii inclined that way, would be likely to go off the rails. One gentle man, he noticed, had stated that thi: would cut into the English classics. ‘'Gentlemen,” added the Minister, if you confine yourselves to pictures of the English classics you need not he afraid of the censorship, because it is a very different thing from the ‘Guide’ shows that will do for the Bowery, the slums of American cities, and perhaps the Chinese quarter of San Ifrancisco. That sort of thing won’t do here, and we are not going to have it.” Mr Anderson added that if the producers objected to the cutting-out of any film, they could take the matter to ilie Board of Appeal, to which Mr H. M. Gore, president of the local Art Ro•lcty, and Mrs A. R. Atkinson had been appointed. The idea of the Government was that the pictures should he an educative agent, that they ought to educate the public morally, aesthetically and civically; but no one could say that these low-class pictures were going to do any good to anyone. One of the picture people, lie noticed, had stated that if tho present decision were persisted ill it would see the “close of the industry.” “Well, gentlemen,” said the Minister, “if you are dependent on that class of picture, the sooner your industry goes, the better.” Mr Anderson continued in the same strain to emphasise the fact that lowclass pictures showing crime and immorality would not be tolerated in. New Zealand. At the conclusion of Ills remarks, lie suggested that the deputation should put their case while the Press were present, but this the deputation preferred not to do, and the Press representativ withdrew while the film renters remained to have a private interview.