PICTURES-AND PICTURES

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 133, 2 December 1915, Page 6

PICTURES-AND PICTURES

Yesterday's unanimous resolution of the conference which discussed kinematograph films shows that there is a very large and important body of opinion in support of a reasonable censorship of moving pictures by competent representatives of the State. We have not before us, at the time of writing, Mr. Russell's words in reply to the deputation from the conference, but we anticipate that the National Government will give worthy attention to the serious statements of representative citizens from all parts of New Zealand. Delegates of their calibre cannot be put out of court by a light word or taunt or a wave of the hand. Also, it has to be presumed that these men have not spent time and money as the result of hearsay evidence. Their desire is a- reformation of abuses which they have witnessed. They have praise for the right use of this machine which enables people of modest means to be "globe-trotters" and to see cheaply the cities and landscapes of many countries and to have other pleasant spectacles. But they dislike the vulgarity, the coarseness, and " looseness " of some films that have been displayed in New Zealand. There is no demand for drastic reform; the request is for a right and proper supervision in place of the free-and-easy license which is occasionally abused. An intelligent elimination of matter repulsive to a healthful clean mind and heart should be a help rather than a hindrance to the picture business; but, of course, there is ground for debate in the word "intelligent." - However, we are confident that an arrangement, satisfactory to both sides, is practicable.