FILM POSTERS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1925, Page 1

FILM POSTERS

QUESTION OF PKOPIUETY. WELLINGTON, Doe. 22. Sir James Parr’s condemnation of some posters which illustrates films has provoked Mr It. Stewart, secretary of the New Zealand Film Exchanges Association, to reply. He remarks;— “It is astounding that a man in Sir James Parr’s position should make such -sweeping statements unless lie is sure of his ground, and in justice to the people of New Zealand who lie implies have been content to look at •filthy, suggestive’ posters for years without any protest, I ask him to mention any specific poster which could reasonably he considered filthy and suggestive. If there is any semblance oi( truth ill his remarks 1 would like to know what the police have- been doing Lo allow posters of this description lo he displayed before the general public. The police have power to order the removal of anything even suggestive without being filthy from public exhibition, hut to my knowledge there has not been any film poster displayed lo which they or any other decent minded people could take exception. Film posters are displayed to to public for the same reason that the shopkeopen displays his goods in windows, and in practically every instance are- reproductions of scenes from the pictures. Air Stewart quotes a list of film posters on exhibition in Wellington and invites any member of the public lo say iu what respect they offend.

All NIST ER ACCEPTS CHALLENGE. The Alinisev of Education has taken up Air Stewart’s challenge. “In your letter you ask me to give instances. I am prepared to do so.” lie says: “11 after the holidays you will be good enough to call at my office I will show you posters which have been exhibited and which in my judgment clearly transgress the bounds of ordinary decency. Moreover 1 shall he content to leave it to the judgment of any impartial and decent-minded man as to whether these and other advertisement. posters are fit to bo exhibited in view of tin* whole population, including thousands of school children, lor whose moral weliare J. as Alinister of Education, must have regard. “1 hv no means condemn all film posters, though your letter insinuates f do. Many arc innocent enough, though as works of art they may leave a: good deal to lie desired, hut there are striking exceptions, and it is lo these breaches of good taste, and of decency that I draw public attention. If all posters he as innocent as you de.scriljo then 1 hope you will have no objection to my proposal that the censor should see them at the same time as he does the picture itself. Ala; I ask if your association will object to regulation securing this result.-'’