CHILDREN AND PICTURE SHOWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1924, Page 1

CHILDREN AND PICTURE SHOWS.

DEPUTATION TO HON J. C. PARK. WELLINGTON, Sept. 10. The undesirability of children ol tender age being permitted to attend picture shows, unless accompanied by a guardian or unless the films have been specially censored and passed for exhibition before juveniles, was raised hy a deputation from the women's branch of the New Zealand Labour Party, which waited on the Minister of .Justice to-day in regard to the passing of social legislation. Mrs Gaulter said the deputation desired that something should he done hy the Government in regard to the attendance of children at picture shows, and they suggested that a portion of the theatre should he set apart hy the management of the theatres for unattended children. While in Melbourne recently she attended an entertainment for children in the Aquarium, and she noticed that such accommodation was reserved for unattended children, to prevent them from Being crushed by adults and from interference. The Minister (the Hon C. J. Parr): Can you suggest some way to ensure that attended children get the light sort of picture to look atP Airs (Janitor agreed that was a very

diflicult question. The Minister said that many parents were very foolish in allowing children of tender years to attend picture shows. Tho trouble was that children were taken there by their father and mother and one could not interfere. The picture theatre proprietors were anxious to help, and he did not blame them.

■' Mrs Gaulter admitted that a great many of the pictures shown were not (I (it for children to see. it The Minister said that there were >s some pictures which excited the intna gination nf the child undesirably, such as Mime of those wretched American hints depicting cowboy “stunts,” etc., which was the worst kind of material for a child’s imagination. He said that the remarks made hv the deputation were entirely justified. and though he held rather strong views about children attending picture shows. Ins . didiciilty was to get anything done under the existing law. He had boon 1 looking into the matter, and it was ' provided ill draft legislation that it ‘ should not lie lawful for a child below ' the age of thirteen to enter a picture I theatre between (1 p.m. and 10 p.m. . From the point of view of physical | health alone children would he far better at home. After the passing of the Bill he referred to no child under sixteen would lie allowed to enter a picture theatre unless all the pictures had been certified hy the censor as suitable for exhibition belore children. Mrs Snow: Von ought to appoint women censors. Mr Parr: I agree there should he a woman of discretion on the Censorship Board.