FILM CENSORSHIP.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 March 1928, Page 9

FILM CENSORSHIP.

THE GOVERNMENT’S POWERS

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE’ OF LORDS

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCJ ATI ON COPYEIGHT LONDON, March 15.

There was- an interesting debate in the House of Lords on the censorship of films, Lord Newton pointing out that any trumpery local authority in the country had power to exhibit a film, whatever was Cabinet’s opinion. If censorship were necessary for plays, it was infinitely . more necessary for films, which a thousand millions saw in a single year, being an average of 25 times a year lor every man, woman, and child. A film which might have an injurious effect on relations with foreign Powers should be considered by the Lord Chamberlain, whose decision should be final. Lord Crawford urged unfairness, stating that the Minister, who perhaps had not seen a film, could bar an 'enterprise costing' the promoters £30,000, or perhaps the War Office, Admiralty, and Colonial and India. Offices would similarly put on a ban. Lord Askwith said that members of the film industry were anxious for security.

Lord Ruckmaster said that he had seen the banned film “Dawn.” There was nothing objectionable in the first acts, but the final was morbid, and must not be‘permitted. Lord Desborough, on behalf of the Government, said that the present board of film censors was well qualified, and there were very few complaints; but any film -not the least shocking in London.might be shocking in Scotland. There were objections to any single body having universal control. —A.P.A. and “Sun.” PROTEST AGAINST ANOTHER* PICTURE. LONDON, March 15. A protest against the Admiralty’s assisting in making so-called war films such as “The Battle of Coronel” was voiced in the House of Commons today by Lieutenant-Commander J. M. Kenworthy. This play-acting tomfoolery was a prostitution of the King’s uniform for the purpose of making propaganda films, he said.