MOTION PICTURES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3836, 25 August 1928, Page 3

MOTION PICTURES.

BRITISH SENTIMENT WANTED. PREMIER’S FRANK DESIRE. “As a son of British stock, as a citizen of NeAV Zealand, I say quite definitely that I want my children to see in the motion pictures a little British sentiment.” Loud applause greeted this announcement Avhen made by the Prime Minister in the course of his address before the Dominion Conference of the NeAV Zealand Political Reform League at Wellington on Wednesday. Mr. Coates had been discussing his policy of less Government in business, and said that he had been informed that the Government legislation dealing with the motion picture industry was an interference Avith private business. “It may be true to a certain extent,” said Mr. Coates, “but there conies a point sometimes in any industry Avhen it is the duty of the Government to take an aetiA’C interest in that industry. ' “I go to the pictures myself. I like them, and there are thousands of others who like to go. I think the film is a wonderful production, and it can be turned to Avonderful uses —for better or worse. It is recognised as a poAverful instrument in the education of the pen-* pie. It has been said that given the control of a child at ten years old, you can make anything of that child —a Socialist, a Conservative.' It is material to be moulded. You can make it a bellicose child, a peaee-loA'ing child, a IaAV-abiding citizen, or a law-breaking citizen. Well, the real thought behind the Bill the Government has introduced is tAA’o-fold —an endeavour to educate our children on right lines, to present to them the institutions and history of our own race, and next to encourage producers in Great Britain to. give us the films Avorthy of our heritage. “Surely we have sufficient stirring episodes in the history of our race to show to our youngsters.* I say quite definitely, as a son of British stock,->gs a citizen of New Zealand, that 1 Avant my children to see a little British sentiment. (Loud applause). It is a case in Avhieh I think the Government is justified in intervening.”