THE “DAWN”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 28 February 1928, Page 9

THE “DAWN”

BAN ON THE FILM.

DISCUSSED IN THE COMMONS,

FOREIGN SECRETARY EXPLAINS.

a I CABLE —P&ESS ASSOCIATION—COPY HIGHI. Received 1.15 p.m. to-day. LONDON, Fee. 27. In the House of Commons, the Right Hon- L. 0. M. S. Ainery, m reply to questions, said that ho had not received any request to communicate with the Dominion Governments on the subject of the exhibition of the film ‘‘Dawn.” The German Government had made no representations to the Colonial Office on the subject. Sir Austen Chamberlain stated that the German Embassy on October 26, 1927, drew th ; e, attention of tue Foreign Office to “Dawn,” and was informed that the Government had no powers of political censorship. The German Ambassador on June 24 spoke to him on the subject, and as lie personally felt strongly on the subject, he interviewed Mr O’Connor and begged him particularly to give attention to the character of the film when .it was submitted to the Hoard of Censors. Lieut.-Col. Cruickshank asked, “Have the. members of the German Embassy, the Government’s film adviser or any member of the Government seen the film?”

Sir Austen Chamberlain irepliied: “I have not seen it, and for reasons already explained, do not propose to see it in any circumstances.” Sir Austen continued to say that the Government’s advisor on November 3 fold him that Mr Wilcox thus described tlie shooting scene: “One of the firing party definitely refuses to level his' rifle "at Nurse Gave 1 ! and is shot on the spot. The rest line up and on tines order to fire, raise their rifles in order to fire above her head. She falls io the ground fainting, and an officer steps forward and despatches her.’ I believe this is an entirely incredible version of the invent,” Sir Austenisaid. ‘‘l feel it is an outrage on a noble woman’s memory. Commander Kenworthy asked why there was m* objection taken during the preparation of the film. Sir Austen Chamberlain replied: “1 have other things to. attend to than study forthcoming films, and the newspapers, and therefore acted on Mr Wilcox’s description of the film to. tlie adviser.”

Sir Austen said that it was not true that nobody in authority had seen the film. The Government’s adviser saw the film and discussed it with Mr Wilcox.

Sir Austen Chamberlain, further questioned, said that his own objection tO' the film was created by Lord Birkenhead in the “Daily Telegraph” on Saturday. What he did in the matter was undertaken on his own responsibility. If he had to act again he would do the same. ( Sir Austen told a questioner that the exhibition of the German film “The World through German Spectacles,” was prohibited in occupied territories by the Rhineland High Oommissioner. —AJP.A. and “Sun.”