CINEMA FILMS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1931, Page 2

CINEMA FILMS

STRICTER CENSORSHIP SUGGESTED. PRESBYTERIAN -ASSEMBLY'S REQUEST. WELLINGTON, June 3. The stricter censorship in cinema posters provided for by an Order-i 11Council issued in October last, was welcomed by the General Assembly 01 the Presbyterian Church to-day. The Public Questions Committee reported upon the subject as follows: “The clamant need ‘ for a stricter censorship of the films and pasters which disgrace the outsides of picture theatres and bill hoardings in the streets was realised by the committee and the decision, by Order-in Council, to exercise stricter supervision ana insist upon the registration of such posters, was welcomed by the committee. The'new regulation, came into force on October 2nd., and did not act retrospectively, but while expressing pleasure at the steps taken by the Government in this matter, we regret that thero are. not visible, as yet, any marked evidences of improvement in tue posters from the moral and artistic point of view.” IMPROVEMENT AT DUNEDIN? “It is a mistake for the Church to he always finding fault,” said the Ihev, E.- N- Merrington (Dunedin), 'and where we find that an improvement has been effected, we should say

so.” , » , , , Dr. Gibb (Wellington) said it had been whispered to him that ciitsma posters in Dunedin were not nearly so lurid as those in Wellington. An im/‘..provement might have been effected, • but it would take a powerful magnifying glass to detect it, They had found here that in attempting reforms in cinema films and posters they were up 'against a conspiracy of silence. The censor had candidly stated that if he were to pass all the films which came before him the public’s nair would stand on end. He had also admitted that he passed films he would not care to take his own wile or daughters. Dr. Merrington: Dr. Gibb has suggested that in Dunedin we are not brought into touch with the horrors and pitfalls of life, to the same extent as are the people of Wellington, .but I think it must be admitted that an improvement ha„ been, effected in cinema films which affronted public decency a year ago. .. .. '■> !•< i MOTION CARRIED. The following motion was carried: “The Assembly welcomes the Order-in-Council for the stricter censorship of cinema posters, and emphasises the need of securing more wholesome entertainment than is frequently provided by the films, including talkies, which only too often cater for the lowest tendencies of human nature. A fuller exercise of the powers of the censor appears to be the only mode by which the standard of: cinematograph entertainments cap bp raised.” Dr. Gibb was thanked for the active support he had given the Public Questions Committee in its efforts on Dehalf of the moral and social well are of '-the' citizens. T' *Y(“’ 7' :