THE FILM CENSORSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1917, Page 2

THE FILM CENSORSHIP.

THE MINISTER'S ATTITUDE. By Telegraph.—'Press Association. Wellington, May' 1. The Minister of Internal Affair's, Mr. G. W. Russell, has replied to a. le.tter from a recent conference of local educational and social bodies relative to the operations of the Film Censorsxtp Aei. Mr. Russell says that since the appointment of a censor there lias been a general improvement in the standard of films shown to the public. The owners of films have a right of appeal, but in only one instance, lias it been exercised and the Board of Appeal upheld the censor's decision in that case. The proposal of the conference to give the right of appeal to local bodies, education boards and reirgijous bodies ,appears to Mr. Russell to bp undesirable. The censorship is being steadily hardened up with tlie view of reaching a still higher standard. The Minister is unable, for the reasons given, to promise the introduction of the legislation suggested, neither is it, iiecesc,ary to amend the law to give the police and municipal authorities the further powers asked for. Owing to the difficulty in obtaining nr. agreement of opinion legislation dealing with posters and advertisements of an alleged offensive and demoralising tendency would, in the Minister's opinion be practically impossible.