The Film Censorship.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17062, 5 February 1921, Page 8

The Film Censorship.

The statement made by the Minister of internal Affairs to the depatatiofl from* the moving-picture business which wait--ed on him in Wellington yesterday, put a very different, aspect on the Government's intentions regarding the more rigorous censorship of films, from that indicated in the announcement of the previous day. The latter, to quote from the complete test of his letter to the film importers in the Dominion published in the Wellington papers, was phrased as follows :—"l have the honour "to inform you that the Government " has decided that any film or portion, " of film where thieving, robbery, mnri " der, or suicide is made a feature of | "such film, will not be passed for cir- !" dilation in this Dominion." Tester* day, however, Mr Anderson, after referring to the improvement in the character of the films exhibited which had resulted from the censorship, said that complaints regarding some of tho I films were still being received, "and at " his suggestion the Government come :" to the conclusion that low-class pic"tures o*' American 'shystefg,' 'crooks,' " and all that sort of thing had got to " go." This, it will be recognised, is a very different matter from the banning of all films in which certain crimes wore made a feature, which it wns generally concluded, from the wording of the original notification, was the intention of the Government. In reply to the published statement of some picmanagers that the carrying out of the strict terms of the Government's decision, as expressed by tho Minister, would "see the close of the industry," Mr Andetson remarked that if the picture shows depended on the class of picture he had described, the sooner the industry went tli'_> better. Under the circumstances, this was hardly fair. The picture-show people are well able to defend eheinselres, but so far

I as our knowledge of the programmes they I provide go«», they do not depend on. I nor even exhibit in any great degree, J "low-class pictures of American | "shysters and crooks.' : The picturei going public will hear of the veto now i placed on this sort of film without a .sigh of regret—on the contrary with | approval. With a new-born dislike for | publicity—a quality not usually associated with those concerned in the moving picture business—yesterday's deputation to the Minister declined to discuss, or express their views upon, liis statement in the presence of the reporters. They will lie blind to their own interests if they prot-pst against a. policy -.vhieh. in the shape, in which we now know it. will com- | mand general support. The picture theatres in New Zealand are j nightly attended by many thousands ofj people, whose, presence must he taken j as proof that they are pleased with the j programmes offered them. But is it not possible that a. higher cla.«9 of film j than is sometimes exhibited would I please, them still more and induce still Larger attendances? The present appears to be a good opportunity for making larger use of British films, which are understood to be improving in quality, arid would, at all events, present a more British point of view than is evident in most of the films now seen. The point is one which film importers might take into consideration, together with tho fact that the public does not mind being educated if tho process is made interesting. The moving picture business is, we fancy, approaching a. somewhat critical stage in its career, and there are indications tha.t if it is to retain its hold on public affection, it will have to strike out in lines which, if not new, have not been followed up as thoroughly of late as many patrons of "the pictures" would like.