FILMS AND MORALS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 88, 12 October 1915, Page 3

FILMS AND MORALS

A STRICTER CENSORSHIP? At the last meeting of the Catholic Federation held in Wellington some time ago mention was made of a need for a stricter oensorship of films. At the monthly meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council last night, a letter was received from the Catholic Federation, asking the council to support its (the Federation's) action in regard to the unwholesome and quasi-immoral nature of many of the pictures shown in New Zealand, and suggesting that steps be taken with a view of discovering a I remedy. Councillor Meldrum said that he was ■wholly in accord with the action of the Catholic Federation, and was of opinion that certain pictures should not be shown. Councillor Clendon spoke in a similar strain, and asked the Mayor (Mr. H. A. Baldwin) what his opinion was. "One-third of the pictures exhibited," said the Mayor, "are indecent illustrations," and he cited a case in the local theatre of a picture, the wording of which he described as "disgraceful." Councillor M'Dougall expressed his satisfaction with the action of the federation, and stated that pictures which dealt with the sacrifice of life had a bad moral tendency on the youth of the Dominion. A similar protest was voiced by Councillor Carver, and he stressed the point that there should be some method- of eliminating pictures which were a serious check to the lives and morals of youths. It was unanimously decided to uphold the objection of the Catholic Federation. PETONE COUNCIL SUPPORTS IDEA. Motion ( pictures were the subject of a brief discussion at last night's meeting of the Petone Borough Council. The matter arose through a communication from the New Zealand Catholic Federation, which body wrote asking cooperation in the matter of censorship of picture films, and enquiring if the council considered it advisable to call together a conference of representatives to discuss the question, and, if so, to appoint a delegate for the purpose. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) said that if they were going to set up a censorship for pictures they should do likewise with vaudeville shows and plays. A different view was expressed by Councillor M'Dougall, who stated that some of the pictures were simply din gusting. Something was required to bt» done. While not considering that all ' pic tures shown were above suspicion, Councillor Brocklebank did not think that any good purpose would be served by supporting the proposition. "I am somewhat surprised at Couacillor Brocklebank," said Councillor An derson, who briefly described his own experience of motion pictures. He roundly condemned what he termed "this stupid drivel 1 ' and "silly love-sick scenes." It was time this sort of thing was abolished, if only for the sake of the children. Councillor Anderson moved to the effect that the council co-operate with the Catholic Federation, and that a representative be .appointed as requested. After further discussion, the motion was agreed to, and Councillor Anderson was appointed the delegate to attend the proposed conference. TIMARU SUPPORT (IT TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) TIMARU, 11th October. The Timaru Borough Council resolved to support the Catholic Federation in requesting the Government to establish a censorship over moving pictures.