Picture Shows.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 11 February 1916, Page 3

Picture Shows.

CODEMNANATORY UTTER' ANCES.

When speaking at a deputation that waited on the Hon J. A. Hanan (Minister of Education) this morning, Mr J. Scott dealt with the subject of the censorship of films exhibited at picture shows. “We think,” he said, “ some control should be had over moving pictures. We have all sorts of sensational things exhibited in these various shows which we know are not conducive to the best interests of the rising generation. Picture shows can be used for educational puiposes, but, on the other hand, some of these pictures are most disgusting We think some thing should be done by the Government or local bodies to have more control than they have at the present time.” Mr C. H. Opie agreed with Mr Scott. He considered an intelligent censorship of the p'ctures would be in the interests of the public. “ I am not in entire accord wiih the set that is being made (I do not understand why) upon these shows,” said Mr L. M. Isitt, M P. “ I fail to see all these terrible things we hear about. I have heard more ‘smut’ and more objectionable things at the theatre than ever I have seen at the pictures. We should be careful before we make this wholesale denunciation of what constitutes px'actically the poor man’s liter-atux-e. Children have a remarkable facility for missing what adults see.” There had, he said been public uttei’ances as to pictures that would make one who had not seeix them think they were very terrible. He failed to see what ground there was for the exaggerated condemnation that had been levelled at this one cheap amusement of the working class.