STRICTER CENSORSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 10

STRICTER CENSORSHIP

AN AUCKLAND APPEAL

(By Telegraph.—Press Association) ■ AUCKLAND June 22 An _ appeal by a represeuta.ti.Tfc gathering of Auckland citizens to their representatives in Parliament for the oxerciso of stricter censorship of films and posters for exhibition in New Zealand was sympathetically received at a meeting held at the Auckland Education Board's office today. In a statement prepared by a committee of citizens formed .about two years ago criticism1 was made of the report of tho Parliamentary Committee on Films which, will be presented in the House of Representatives this session on the ground that it reyealed Jio evidence of constructive thought or leadership.

The meeting, which was presided over by Mr. H. J. D. Mahon, was attended by 30 citizens, representing the views of religious, social, and educational organisations and business men of Auckland.

In reading the statement prepared by. tho committee, • the chairman said that representations had already been made to tho Committee of the House, the Ministers of the Crown concerned, •and tho censor, but they had beea without result. .Strong exception was taken to the finding of the committee that censorship «f films was .at present carried out in a satisfactory manner. It was\claimed that a number of films now exhibited showed debased taste and had a demoralising effect upon, the community. The suggestion that 'I block booking" was largely respon-' sible, it was maintained, should not be allowed to remain in the way of moral reform,

Mr. Mahon read extracts from prominent journals in support of the views advanced by the committee. Archbishop Averill said it. was the duty of Parliament to uphold the moral sense of the community, and ho appealed to local members for thenassistance in cleansing films and making them uplifting and not degrading. In reply speeches were made.- by the Hon. C. J. Cai'rington, - M.L.C., Messrs. W. E. Parry (Auckland"Central), H; G. B. Mason (Auckland Suburbs), A. S. Richards (Roskill), W. W. Massoy (Hauraki), A. J. Stallworthy (Eden), pud W.- .T. Jordan (Manukau), members of Parliament. Although some of mo members admitted that' they did not have an opportunity of attending pictures often, and consequently were not familiar with the type of film objected to, it was generally agreed that there were some films and posters possessing objectionable features which could he removed by censorship. It was recognised that tho effect on the community, particularly on adolescents and children, was detrimental, and that reform was a necessity.

Several members said that they had already attempted to have stricter censorship' but had not been successful. The difficulties of censorship had been referred to in the report of the committee but they were not considord serious. It was maintained that reform could bo put into force by the Minister within ten minutes if it was agreed upon.