CHILD & THE PICTURES

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 4, 5 January 1921, Page 7

CHILD & THE PICTURES

TEACHERS SEE DANGERS

CLASSIFICATION OF PROGRAMMES.

Moving pictures and their effect upon chiUren were discussed in a report of a special committee brought bofore the annual conference of the .New Zealand Educational Institute this morning,

"The special committee set up by. the 1920 conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute to report to the executive during tho recess on the subject of 'Moving Pictures in relation to the Physical, Mental, and Moral Effect on Children,' has concluded its investigations after an exhaustive exploration of tho various aspeots of the question," stated the report. "In approaching the subject the committee decided to obtain by means of a questionnaire a poll of representative opinion from local bodies, church societies; labour unions, educational and social organisations, medical associations, magistrates, and individual members of the community. . Tho form of the questionnaire was as follows;—

"Do you oonsider (1) That moving pictures-, as at present shown, have an injurious effect upon children and young people, and, if so, in what way? (2) That children attend pictures too frequently? (3) That the standard of pictures shown would be elevated by any of the following means: _ (a) Stricter censorship? (In this connection is a woman censor advisablo?) (b) Municipal control? (c) Government control, through Education Department, of pictures for children? (d) Classification of picture ftlms into (i) adult prograrnv.l3; (ii) school children programme? "An examination of the" large number of answers received revealed a unanimity of opinion quite astonishing, considorintj the varying nature of the sources consulted, and-this unanimity made the work of the committee in drawing up its i •.■commendation a comparatively easy one. The committee is of opinion that f!ie r..ovfng picture may be made v strong /orce in educational, social, and "^ similar development, but condemns the demoralising etfect on the young: of the present conditions under which children are (a) oontmi.allv shown pictures of unsuitable and d?isoiaiising themes; (b) frequently taken out until late hours at night; (o) congregate! in vitiated atmosphere for consiierable periods."

Mr. F. A. Garry, in moving the adoption of the report, said the committee had gone into the question very thoroughly with the object of getting, a solid backing in the form of public opinion. Answers, had beon received from'all parts of New Zealand and from every form of organisation, with the result that they be! a file which, he considered, would convince anybody.

Mr. J. Ironside (Otago) seconded the motion, saying that if the ■■ recommendations were put into force all right-think-ing parents would be induced to go with their children to programmes more suitable for children than adults, rather than see their ohildrcn view programmes not even suitable for adults.

The committee's recommendations were then discussed in detail and were adopted, as follow: "(1) That programmes be classified and that children under 14 years be not allowed to attend other than 'junior' programmes. (2) That suitable 'junior' programmes bo issued through the Education Department. (3) That pictures be shown, when possible, in school buildings, and when this is not practicable in ordinary picture theatres during daylight hours. (4-) That in tho interests of adolescents and of the upraising of popular taste the censorship be stricter and more discriminating. (S) Thtat a. Board of Censors, to include a wdman and representative of teachers, bo established. (6) That the censorship be extended to posters and advertisements. Mr. P. H. Hall (Ruapehu) wished to move an additional clause to the effect that the restrictions as to ago should bo enforced in the case of all theatres whether confined to the exhibition of pictures or otherwise, but he \y«is ruled out of order, .Taa wjawt «,».», .whole ,wm idojsttsL.