BAN REFUSED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 12, 14 July 1939, Page 6

BAN REFUSED

GERMAIN! SPY FILM

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, July 6. German Consular authorities have protested to the Federal Government against the decision to permit the exhibition in Australia of the film "Confessions of a'Nazi Spy," which is claimed to be an exposure of espionage activities in the United States. The Minister of Trade and Customs, Mr. Lawson, said that a previous decision not to ban the film had been confirmed after the matter had been reviewed.

Mr. Lawson said: "I made this decision after seeing the film. it was passed" in London for general exhibi-. tion, and was shown there without -any official protest. I am informed that only three protests were received there, all from private individuals, two of whom were Germans. It has been shown throughout the United States and Canada, and, I understand, Souih Africa. There was a protest in New Zealand, but it was passed for exhibition there."

On June 18 Mr. Lawson said that he had approved the passing of the film after it had been referred to him by the Chief Censor,. Mr. Creswell O'Reilly. He had not then seen the film, but had discussed the matter with Mr. O'Reilly, who was of opinion that it should be passed.