THE ONLY SEASON

NZ Truth, Issue 1184, 9 August 1928, Page 6

THE ONLY SEASON

It has often been asked why the great majority of newspapers m; this country, allegedly standing behind public welfare at any price, have riot allowed their patriotism to go the little step towards crushing, so far as ; the printed word can crush, the putrid* odorous and objectionable features or distorted film registrations, The answer can be found m a short, phrase, "commercial canker." •.... The picture houses are big advertisers. What they Bpend with, newa* papers every year represents a gigani tic. figure. " ' . Dare they launch an attack at sd profitable a client? If they dare, where is the newspaper m New Zealand that has yet shown its desire for publio wholesomeness at the expense of a depleted banking aocount? When a manor a woman reaches the 1 somewhat problematical "age Qf discretion" — there are many routes to that era-^the risk 'of throwing a' distorted picture of life before! him or her ia» quite naturally, less than m the case of an adolescent whose plastic mind la nothing but an intellectual sponge. Admittedly, the question of showing distasteful pictures to children iB causing grave concern the world over, but Where is- the medium of attack? One finds churches and multitudinous organizations denouncing . the principle, certainly, yet the press is strangely, fearfully silent. And, what is more remarkable, is that Governments generally seem to .dodge the issue by appointing a film censor with virtually no power when it comes to children. Apart from the type of sexual -film which undoubtedly plays havoc with the young mind, there is the wrong sense of values , which children derive, from many of the films they see. A twisted, distorted social perspective, an unwholesome basis for expanding thought, a fearful sowing of miserable'example, must follow the screening of pictures that are fundamentally written, produced and acted, for & direct appeal to the less serious and often ultra-emotional side of adults. . So far as the New Zealand Government is concerned, even the most disinterested student of politics recognizes the./ transparent weaknesses and lethargic attitude towards the" things jth'at really count. , " . . ■ : •■ But even they have example if they felt that the forces mysteriously behind them would really let them legislate for the "betterment of public welfare. ' • ■ . . v : A message was recently printed from Quebec' stating that the Legislature had overwhelmingly condemned (57 votes to 6), American films and their ' deleterious effect on. children. A Bill was passed prohibiting childfen under sixteen years of age from attending, the movies.