THE PICTURE SHOWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15606, 2 June 1916, Page 5

THE PICTURE SHOWS.

TO THE EDITOR OF '"THE PRESS." Sir, —I was sorry to see one of your correspondents was rather severe on "Diogenes" who seems to be a good sport, though it is a pity lie prefers anonymity. 'You, Sir, will smile at his request that you scotch the ""Movies" in a leading article, and attempt thereby to change the tastes and habits of the people. I am inclined to think that amusement will be the only good these letters will do. I am told that many sixpences are now diverted from the hotel bars; young fellows preferring t-o take the {jirls to the pictures. No two people "see things" in the same light, so let us give the large majority of the people the credit of seeing good and not bad at the pictures.—Yours, PETER TROLOYE. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE TRESS." ! Sir, —The main points urgod in regard to picture shows seem to be these: — 1. That the picture show buildings may act as places where germs . may congregate and disease spread. 2. That an hour or so's constant watching of the pictures (which even now arc subject to occasional flashing and jerking, and in any case are continuously "moving on") is *not too good for the eyes and nerveSj and if too constantly repeated, may set up trouble. 3. That the sitting in a crowded hall and the breathing of exhausted or partially-exhausted air, is not good for growing children, who already pass the greater part of their days under somewhat similar conditions — or even for babies and children below school age, i.e., under five years old. 4. That the faculties are all on the alert to take in the successive pictures, whether comic, pathetic, descriptive, scenic, moral, or non-moral, and that such strain makes a demand on the reserve forces of the child, not noticed at the time, but if pretty constantly repeated, likely to have far-reaching and rather disastrous effects on health and vigour in atier years. o. That it is unsuitable for babies and young children to be kept up late in conditions of noise, bustle, excitement. and unrest. 6. That it is not desirable perhaps for youngsters of six and seven years of age to be sent by themselves or with •Others of a like age in the evening 8 - 7. That should the foregoing conditions only obtain when pictures are of an educational or improving tendency, much need not (apparently) be said, but that where the pictures are of crime, burglary, forgery, murder, and so on, not to mention the constant recurrence of the virtuous young woman who emerges triumphant from trials and temptations and ambushes, and strange situations (all iaithfully detailed), and is left hugging the good voung man—why, then, it is objected fey some that the very means (that of pictures) by which a child is taught its earliest lessons, whether of holiness or other matters is being used m its most vivid form to impress very diiferent ideas on brains in their most receptive stage, in fact, such people think that "the little ones" are being "caused to offend." 8. That monrv is wasted in going "habitually several nights a week to picture shows, and that constant' selfindulgence < and selfish, foolish, aimless wars are thereby increasing. 9 That all these evils (as some people think them) are being promoted in order that a certain number of folk may put very large sums of money into their pockets. . I must hasten to add that this last is. of course, a dreadfully uncharitable view because we all know that if this Is the case such folk will have to pay to the uttermost farthing whether m their own suffering or the suffering of those dear to them, for the evils +hev will have been responsible ioi — Sst like the rest of us who on our parts may hoc have exercised what powers we possess in the guaidmg, helping loving, and cheering the young folk who have after all only us to look to here for shelter and Stance.

The mills of God grind slowly, but tlioy irrind exceeding small. Tho" with patier.ee- He stands waiting, exact aces grinds He all. Yours, etc., ONLOOKER. TO IUE EDITOR OF •"THE FRESs. Sir —I have to thank you tor the hospitality of y° ul " columns, under . a m afraid, some provocation. loin extremely nnid casligation may or muj not have been merited. Jiorcible oppression is rot necessarily exaggeration, and I submit forcible expression was badly wanted. Human nature is eucli that wherever there is a chance ot maKinsr monev, all the fin*r instincts are thrust-in'the background , and the man who prides himself on his moraht\, and is possibly a pillar of the Church, ™ a 5 have acquired his gains by exploiting and be still using them to exploit and degrade'his fellows. I hope you won t ask me to give chapter and verse toi this, as I might want to. fill an entne number of your paper. "W hat our civilisation wants now more than anj tiling is the right bringing u D of the y oun S not going to church on teunday and doing what they like during the week, but the daily inculcation of habits or disc-inline, restraint, and mutual regard": in fact, altruism And tins they assuredly will not find in the picture i shows. • i r I "With regard to my anonymity, I am in the best of company. If I attack

anyone T sign my name; if I write anything using special knowledge, which my name would bear witness to, again I sign my name; but when I attack a •principle, an abuse, a danger, and my name cannot add one iota of interest or force to my remarks, I prefer to follow the example of many of our wisest and best leaders and write under a pseudonym. Whether or not I have proved my case, and I think the ridiculous effusions of the only two correspondents who have really opposed me are evidence that to a great extent I have, whether it is to or 1 have at least drawn attention to what is universally admitted, and with such, vigour that has reached the hearts of many. Once we get through the crust of indifference, something may be done. One last word. The mental, moral, •and physical health of our children should be always, and is especially at present, our greatest responsibility. Do you, docs any father or mother, not Hopelessly seliish, think that the way to develop and keep this condition of physical and mental health is by taking young children to the pictures, or that "their morals are likely t 0 be improved by the average entertainment? That is my position in a nutshell. And as •a part answer,,.! will ask the police to explain why it has been necessary to have a spccial Court for dealing with children's crime? And what sort of cases come before it. Don't you see, Sir, that I am striving to save our children—they will want all their health, manhood, and wisdom in the dark years to come. Where will they get this? the picturo shows, or out in the open playing their games and developing mind and body, and to bed early earning that gracious and healing sleep so many of the present-day children never enjoy ?

■Once. again, Sir, T say don't criticise —help! Writo articles not 0 f the quiet, armchair, more or less indifferent kind, but such as will wake up the community, prove to them they still have eonsciences. Then, with a wave of enthusiasm, they will stamp out the abuses of the picture shows, and make them, as they should he, influences for our good and not for our damnation. Once more, Sir, before retiring to my tub, I thank you for your courtesy.— Yours, etc., DIOGENES.