INDECENT FILMS

Grey River Argus, 11 March 1938, Page 2

INDECENT FILMS

Magistrate’s Criticism LOW STANDARD DEPLORED. [Per Press Association], NEW PLYMOUTH, March 9. A vigorous indictment of the effect of second-rate foreign films on the minds of the young people of_New Zealand was made at the national conference of New Zealand Justices of the Peace, at New Plymouth this morning by Mr W. H. Woodward, S.M. He recommended that the conference should give serious consideration to the question of film censorship so that a serious social evil might be overcome. Mr Woodward emphasised that Justices of the Peace were chosen for their experience and sagacity and for the trust placed in them by their fellow citizens. Therefore they represented the mature common sense of the country, and were probably more entitled than anyone else to express an opinion on matters of national importance. “Is it desirable that the youth of the community, when they go out for entertainment at night, should be transported into an unreal country where very low standards are held up?” he asked, when dealing with a certain class of film. “Money is shown as a god, gunmen are made heroes. Love is debased, and the ideal of womanhood is represented by grimacing hussies.” An entirely false impression of life and citizenship was given, “sob stuff” being alternated with false heroics. This could not possibly be for the good of young people, and he thought a much stricter censorship of films was required to ensure that such pictures were not represented as ideals for the youth of New Zealand. Most of the delegates present had families of their own, said Mr Woodward, and they must be particulaily interested in this menace. It might he said—in fact, he was certain it would be said—that the Justices of the Peace should mind their own business and that this was outside their scope. He denied any such suggestions. Justices of the Peace were also citizens, and as such they were entitled to take full interest, in the welfare of the community, which was certainly their business. The conference will discuss the matter at the end of its other business. —