CHILDREN AT PICTURES.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17291, 1 November 1921, Page 7

CHILDREN AT PICTURES.

PROTECTION URGED. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION. The City Council last night devoted considerable time to a discussion on a proposal for the better protection of children attending picture shows. The Society for the Protection of Women and Children wrote stating that at a recent meeting of the Society the matter of assaults upon young children committed in picture theatres was discussed and the following resolution adopted:—"That owing to recent cases C'i assault upon children in picture theatres this Society is of opinion that the municipal authorities should require better lighting in the theatres, and that closer supervision should be given in somo theatres, and that it would be a wise stop if certain Beats could be set aside for children unattended by adults." Cr. H. F. Herbert said it was essential that special seats should be provided for children attending picture theatres alone, and that the theatres should be better lighted than they were at present. He moved that the protest be endorsed. Cr. C. W. Hervey: Have we received anv report of these things happening? 'fhe Deputy-Mayor: Xu official report. Cr. Eervey: Then I don't think its a matter for the City Council at all. I consider the picture theatres of Christchurch are just as well conducted as any theatre in the Dominion. I happen to know the managers, and perhaps th© directors, and I think this is a Blur on the theatres.. 1 have not heard of any voung children being assaulted in our picture theatres and. until I have heard of it I will not support any resolution of this sort. Cr. McCombs suggested that women policemen should be appointed to visit the theatres. Cr. H. F. Herbert said he had no fault to find with the conduct of the local picture theatres, but the children had to be protected, and he was surprised at the views expressed by Cr. Hervey. (Applause.) Cr. R. D, Martin said scarcely a week passed but what some complaint was lodged of young children being interfered with. The same thing probably Was happening all over New Zealand. Most of the cases never gained publicity for the parents of the children did not desirej to take part in Court proceedings. Cr. D. G. Sullivan said the theatre proprietors would no doubt co-operate heartily with the Council in an endeavour to put a stop to the evil. He supported Cr. McCombs's suggestion for the appointment of women policemen. Or. A. Manhirt) said if the trouble had been going on as was stated the .Council should have been made aware of it. The Council should see the theatre managers on the question. Cr. H. T. Armstrong said he doubted whether the Council was justified, in adopting the motion proposed. He hed only heard of oiie case of the sort, and was not convinced that the evil existed to the extent that aome people imagined, "It reaids to me as t> ,wowser resolution," added Cr. Armstrong. . . Cr. J. K. Archer said he did not claim to he a "wowser," hut . some things had to be don© even if one was to be called a wowser f<jr doing thein. He knew that the evil existed, and should be dealt -with. The cases mostly happened in the afternoons. Cr. Hervey: What: about other placesP / Cr. Archer'! The sairie thing* may pj> on in other places, but two wrongs do -not mafce 'trae right. ■ 1 ■ ' _' Cr. Hervey: sort thp-: picture theatres ont; v; Cr. Archer: It is an indisputable fact that ih' some of these*-- picture theatres on Saturday afternoon; tho children are interfered with. \ Cr.' Hervey : It's ii gross injustice to talk like that. 1 f Cr. Armstrong Baid he would not allow it to go out that'Chfistohuroh was amy worse -than! any other city. , Or. Herbert's motion was put in the following form: "That, in view of the recent case of an assault an a child in a picture theatre, the By-laws Committee be requested to consider and report whether it is not advisable that picture theatres should be better lighted and closer supervision given, and special seats be set aside for children unattended by adults.'' The motion was earned, Or. Hervey protesting. "I think it's ridiculous," Be said.