AMERICAN "TALKIES."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 137, 12 June 1930, Page 10

AMERICAN "TALKIES."

INFLUENCE ON CHILDREN. "MENACE TO PURE SPEECH." AUCKLAND M.P.'s VIEWS. The influence of American talking films and picture posters on young children was deplored at a meeting of representatives of the Auckland Primary School Committees' Association and Auckland members of Parliament yesterday.

School staffs and committees were convinced that American talking films were a menace to the speech of young New Zealanders, said Mr. G. E. Spooner, past-president of the association. "Visitors to New Zealand have commented on the purity of our speech, but the present position cannot be viewed'without misgiving. Faulty pronunciations are becoming more and more evident in the speech of the younger generation, and to this we ascribe the influence of American films."

Mr. Spooner said it was felt that the British quota of films should be increased so that children should b& brought more and more in contact with English speech. During the period when silent films had been in vogue, the British 'quota had been set by Act of Parliament on a sliding scale whereby British and American imports would be equal at the end of 40 years. The advent of talking films necessitated the revising of the provision, so that a greater number of British films might bo exhibited. Moral Influences. The poor quality of subject matter exhibited at children's matinee performances had also caused concern, said Mr. Spodner. Crime and luxury were given places of paramount importance, while nobler issues were neglected. The excessive use of firearms was also to be deplored. The Hon. J. B. Donald, PostmasterGeneral, said he agreed that the American twang was a harmful influence in children's speech, and that the shooting scenes so frequently depicted had no place in our national life. "Personally, I think that New Zealanders attend too many pictures," he said. "There they see representations of life and ease when, after all, life is full of work for most people." . Picture Posters. Picture posters were more objectionable than the films themselves, said Mr. W. P. Endean, M.P. for Parnell. Mr. G. C. Munns, 'M.P., said he agreed with this, and pointed out that objectionable posters were viewed by children even when the films were exhibited to adults only.

Mrs. M. S. Benfell, chairman of the Mount Roskill school committee, said it appeared that no censorship could be exercised over the posters. The City Council had stated it could do nothing, while the police could take action only if a poster was indecent.

Mr. H. G. R. Mason, M.P.," said that a bill to deal with the problem was already under discussion, and'that action would probably be taken during the coming session.