MAORILAND PICTURES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 26 May 1919, Page 3

MAORILAND PICTURES.

“I WANT MY CHILDREN.” In connection with this powerful propagandist picture which is to be screened at Otaki to-morrow night, it is not amiss to quote tho following message throughout New Zealand: —“Had the birth-rate in New Zealand been maintained at the same rate as during the period ISS2-18S6, by the end of 1915 we would have had 2-10,000 more people in New Zealand than we had at that time, said the Hon. G. W. Russell recently, when expressing the hope that more would be done in the matter of establishing maternity wards throughout the Dominion. The shrinkage in the birthrate was one of tho most- important : matters of the present day, and every- [ thing possible should be done to decrease the cost of babyhood. ’ ’ A poweriful moral lesson is conveyed in this i daring propagandist picture, to which no one under tho age of 16 years will be admitted unless accompanied by a parent. The leading parts are played by Alma Reubens and William Desmond. The theme is that a butterfly wife, who married chiefly for money, and who shrinks from the responsibilities of parenthood, while the husband’s dearest wish is to have, as he expresses it, “a real home, with -a real wife, and children.” The picture constitutes a strong indictment against one of the greatest social vices. Alma Rubens is charming as the too frivolous wife who tempted fate by her folly, and William Desmond is really convincing as the husband.