THE KINEMA.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1915, Page 2

THE KINEMA.

ARE THERE IMMORAL PICTURES? QUESTION OF A CENSOR. The nature of the pictures shown at kinematograph theatres and the question of whether a censor is required or not were discussed at the meeting of the Taranaki Education Board yesterday. A j letter was received from the New Zealand Catholic Federation suggesting the establishment of an adequate censorship of (cinematograph films, and the letter added: "The Council of my Federation consider this to be a matter of paramount importance, in view of the unwholesome, and, in many eases, quasiimmoral nature of the pictures shown throughout the Dominion." The Rev. A. B. Chappell said he felt somewhat strongly on this matter. He was a frequent visitor to picture theatres, and he felt compelled to say there was a great deal too much sensa-tion-mongering amongst the pictures. He had seen films which were of no moral advantage, in fact, films which were quite the reverse, especially in the case of children. He moved that the Board should express its sympathy with the Federation in the matter. Mr. Hi Trimble thought there was much exaggeration of the harm done by the pictures. Too much was said about the censorship, and soon we would not be able to read anything or see anything, Mr. F. Maekay agreed that many of the pictures shown were harmful, especially to young people. After some further discussion, it was decided that the Board should co-operate with the Catholic Federation in appealing to the Minister for Internal Affairs to introduce legislation to deal with the control of pictures.