Work for the New Film Censor

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 124, 16 August 1927, Page 1

Work for the New Film Censor

SHOCKED PRESBYTERIAN VISIT TO AUCKLAND THEATRES (From Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. "When the new film censor is appointed we are going to draw up very strict regulations regarding the censoring of films,” said the Hon. R. F. Bollard, Minister of Internal Affairs, to-day to a deputation representing the Public Questions Committee of the Presbyterian General Assembly. The Rev. Dr. J. Gibb, who led the deputation, read the resolution recently passed stating that many films were demoralising and disgusting and were dominated by sex interest, often in the unhealthiest forms, and were calculated to appeal to the baser passions of the human heart. "This is not a wowser’s appeal,” said Dr. Gibb, “I believe the protest is one which will be endorsed by all decent and serious-minded people.” He added that, in order to see with his own eyes what was to be seen, he had visited six theatres in Auckland. “One was decent, and at every other I had to come out ait halftime,” he said. “I could not sit through such disgusting exhibitions. I don’t know how young men and maidens could endure it. Your secretary is a young lady,” he continued, “so I cannot describe some of the scenes. "I was struck by raucous shouts of unclean laughter that shrilled through the theatre when that kind of thing was displayed,” he concluded. Mr. Bollard hoped that when the reverend gentlemen noticed pictures that overstepped the bounds of. proplety they would tell him about it. They were trying to get more British films, and when the new censor was appointed he was sure there would be an improvement.