BETTER FEUS WANTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 664, 16 May 1929, Page 7

BETTER FEUS WANTED

WOMEN DEBATE QUESTION REFORM OF POSTERS, TOO Press Association GISBORNE, Wednesday. The reform of cinematograph entertainments, with kindred matters such as posters, was the subject of discussion at the Dominion conference of the National Council of Women today. It was finally decided that a “Better Films Association” be formed among the branches of the council. i Mrs. Henry Smith, Wellington, ’ moved: “That the council make a further determined effort in the direction j of reforming the cinematograph, espeI cially in the matter of posters.” The j mover said the Government could ! really give little help. An appeal to J the picture theatre managers also j found little response. I Dr. Buckley Turkington. Auckland, j asked whether the “talkies” could be included in the remit. Apparently an American accent was to be thrust on young New Zealanders. Mrs. Henry Smith said the considered that no attack should be made upon pictures nor on the “talkies,” but only on other points mentioned in the ' remit.

Miss A. Basten, Auckland, said the matter could be dealt with under the by-laws, and an interview with the town clerk was the course adopted in Auckland. Mrs. 13. J. Moore, Wellington, said children’s theatres had been established in England. If they could • introduce that scheme in New Zealand : then the position would be greatly : improved. : Miss E. Melville, Auckland, referred j to the “Befter Films League ’ form of ! unofficial censorship, which was now !in its initial stages in Auckland. She j said that appeared to be the best | means toward forming a better public I opinion on the question of films. | Dr. Buckley Turkington moved that I a better films association be formed | among the branches of the council, j with power to co-operate and work in conjunction with any other organis’d- ; tions already in existence. \ The original remit and the later | motion on the subject were both ear* ; ried. [ “That all films produced in New Zealand should be censored by the New Zealand censor before export,” was a further remit which was carried. A remit from Dunedin, moved by .Miss T. R. Sherriff, was as follows: “That the Minister of Internal Affairs be urged to appoint a woman to act in conjunction with the censor of films.” After discussion the remit was redrafted and passed as follows; “That the Minister be urged to appoint a board of censorship of films, such board to include at least one woman member.” “That a letter of appreciation be sent to the Governor-General and Lady Alice Fergusson for the keen and practical interest they have taken to procure suitable films for children,” was a special remit carried with acclamation.