CENSORSHIP SOUGHT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 253, 23 September 1940, Page 8

CENSORSHIP SOUGHT

RADIO FEATURES

EFFECT ON CHILDREN

NAPIER, Sept. 21

“Juvenile crime in this 'district is increasing. We arc protected against purchasing drugs and poisons; why not in this?” said the chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board (Mr G. A. Maddison) when the board discussed radio serials of the “thriller” type,, and films which glorified crime. The board’s representations to have a stricter censorship imposed on unsuitable broadcast matter were replied to by the Minister in Charge of Broadcasting (lit. Hon. P. Fraser), who said he appreciated the earnestness with which the board had approached the question, but it would be understood that the censflring of broadcast programmes of a nature so universally appreciated was difficult, and any drastic .action would be likely to cause considerable resentment among the listening public. Careful attention was paid to the broadcasting service, and no serious conflict with decent behaviour was permitted. Many otherwise attractive programmes were rejected on such grounds as these. He assured the board that its re--presentations would he brought to the notice of the officers concerned. At the. same time the service must continue to take into consideration the legitimate tastes of all types of listeners. He felt that the difficulty could largely he solved by realising that they had a responsibility in selection of the most suitable "programmes for their children to listen to. The attention of the hoard was also drawn by the Napier Headmasters’ Association to the types of films now being shown. They instanced a picture shown during the school holidays in which crime was glorified. It was contended that this type of picture was partly responsible for the increase in juvenile crime. The opinion was expressed by the association . that the Minister should be asked to introduce legislation prohibiting the attendance of children of school age at performances showing A certificate films.

The. board agreed to forward the representations to the Minister, and also asked the Teachers’ Institute to take the subject up. It was also decided to approach the Carnegie Educational Research Council to conduct a research to assess the effect of radio plays on school children.