CHILD AND THE PICTURES

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2223, 6 January 1921, Page 2

CHILD AND THE PICTURES

TEACHERS SEE DANGERS. CLASSIFICATION 01*’ PROGRAMMES. Moving pictures and their effect upon children were discussed in a report of a special committee brought: before the annual conference of the Now Zealand Educational Institute, at Wellington yesterday.

“The special committee set up by tin' 1920 conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute to report |o the executive during the recess on the subject of “Moving Pictures in relation to the Physical, Mental and Moral Effect on Children," has concluded its investigations after an exhaustive exploration of the various aspects of the question." stated the report'. “In approaching the. subject. I in* committee decided to obtain by means of a questionnaire a poll of representative opinion from local bodies, church societies, labour unions, education and social organisations, medical associations, magistrates. mid individual members of the community. The form of the questionnaire was as follows: “Do you consider (1) Thai moving pictures, as at present show’ll, have an injurious effect upon children and young people, and, if so, in what way / (2) That children attend •pictures too frequently (J) Hint the standard of pictures shownj* would he elevated by any of the following means: fa) Stricter censorship? Iln this connection is a woman censor advisable ) (b) Municipal control (e) Government control, through Education Departnieut, / of pictures for children (d) silicarion of picture films \ adult programme; (ii) school children programme? “An examination of the large Lumber of answers received revealed a unanimity of opinion quite astonishing, considering the varying nature of the sources consulted, and this unanimity made the work of the committee in drawing up its recommendation a comparatively easy one. The committee is of opinion that the moving picture may he made a strong force in educational, social and similar development, but condemns the demoralising effect on the voting of (lie present conditions under which children are (a) continually shown pictures of unsuitable and demoralising themes; (b) frequently taken out until late hours at night; (<■) congregated in vitiated atmosphere l’or considerable periods."

The committee's recommendations were then discussed in detail, and were adopted, as follow: "(1) that programmes he classified, and that, children under 1-1 years be not allowed to attend other than junior

programmes. (2) That suitable ‘junior’ programmes be issued through the Education Department. (3) .That pictures he shown, when possible, in school buildings, and when this is not practicable in ordinary picture theatres during daylight hours. (4) That in the interests of adolescents and of the upraising of popular taste the censorship be stricter and more discriminating. (5) That it Board of Consorts, to include a woman and representative of teachers, be established. (0) That the censorship he extended to posters and advertisements. The report as a whole was adopted.