RUSSIAN FILMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 85, 7 October 1941, Page 8

RUSSIAN FILMS

SUNDAY SHOWINGS

COUNCIL REFUSES PERMISSION '

Though in somewhat of a difficulty in that its members had not seen the films proposed, the City Council last night declined permission asked for by the Thorndon branch of the New Zealand Society for Closer .Relations v;ith Russia for the showing of a Russian- film at a- Wellington theatre on the evening of Sunday, October 12. Several titles were suggested, with a "March of Time" as an alternative, >and permission was given for the screening of this on the casting vote of the Mayor (Mr. Hislop).

Councillor W. Appleton said that he was not satisfied about the showing of the Russian films; he thought they were being used for propaganda. Though Russia was Britain's friend today they had to look further ahead, and though the society should have the hall for lecture purposes, propaganda was another matter. He was against toe showing of Sunday pictures.

The society had the hall and was entitled to hold the lecture, said Mr. Hislop. The council was not concerned with that, unless they proposed to screen pictures. He thought that the "March of Time" would be quite all right. "What is this society? Who are these people?" asked Councillor R. A. Wright. "I agree with what Councillor Appleton has said. Russia today is our ally and we are in sympathy with the fight Russia is making, but there is an element in the community that seems to be using the fact that Russia is our ally for other purposes altogether, and they have to be watched very closely.' I am not' at all satisfied that this is bona fide. Let them run the picture in the ordinary way, and if it is a good picture people will go to see it. We want to be extremely cautious in what we are doing. We know nothing about the picture and nothing about the people who are running the organisation." The Mayor named the signatories to the letters before the council. Councillor Wright (referring -to a well-known Justice of the Peace): He seems to be all right. - "CAPITALISTIC." Councillor J. D. Sievwright: I am not in favour of Sunday pictures, but I am in favour of Russia. Russia economically has turned over; Russia is capitalistic. They are paying the working man in Russia today according to quality and quantity of his work. Mr. Hislop: Which film do you want? Councillor Sievwright: I object to Sunday evening pictures. As no one had seeh the films why not a preview? asked Councillor R. , H. Nimmo. Some of the officers had seen some jof the pictures, said Mr. Hislop; he : was told that the "March of Time" j ! was suitable. i A vote was taken whether permission should be given for the showing of the film —seven for, seven' against. The Mayor gave his casting vote for showing.