Housewives Oppose Horror Films And Serials

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28700, 25 September 1958, Page 19

Housewives Oppose Horror Films And Serials

(New Zealand Press Association)

GREYMOUTH, Sept. 23. She considered a radio serial which ran for 26 weeks was quite long enough, said the chairman of the Housewives’ Federation Conference (Mrs K. Dunmill Canterbury) at Greymouth today. Referring to those responsible for the longer serials, she said, * I think they are all morons.” The conference was discussing two remits. “That stricter gradings and censorship be considered in the interests of young folk, and that mixed gradings and horror film trailers be not shown at matinqes,” and “That all imported horror films, radio serials, and pulp magazines be completely prohibited.” Mrs Alva Hogg (Hastings), who introduced the first remit, said: “It’s terrible. I think it’s degrading, and it certainly does not contribute anything to the cultural side of life.” She said the Minister for the Welfare of Women and Children (Miss Howard) might be sympathetic, and should be able to help. Mrs D. Hansen (Greymouth) said she would move that the federation contact Miss Howard “to see if she can help in cleaning up bad literature, bad films, and bad serials on the radio’ They do very little to make healthy minds.” Mrs Dunmill: What is the definition of ‘pulp’? ■ Mrs Hogg: Muck— true love. Mrs P. Gilchrist (Greymouth) said that to suggest complete prohibition was dictation. There was provision for banning litera-

ture in the Indecent Publications Act, and the film censor had the right to delete questionable films. Mrs Dunmill said many adults loved a horror film, although she agreed children should not be allowed to see them. Mrs J. Ryan (Canterbury) said that asking for “complete prohibition” left the way open for the type of censorship in Nazi Germany. As far as comics were concerned, “we have achieved a lot under the existing regulations,” she said. The first remit was passed, and the second withdrawn, in favour of the question being passed *lO, Miss Howard, for stricter enforcement.