EFFECT OF PICTURES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 9 October 1913, Page 5

EFFECT OF PICTURES.

INVESTIGATION IN MELBOURNE

BY CABLE—PBESS ASSOCIATION— 7OPYBIGH.T.

(Received Oct. 9, 10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Oct. 9. The police recently conducted an inquiry into the effects of picture shows upon young peopl© ? and the superintendent, in forwarding the reports, recommends the censorship of pictures. The consensus of opinion among police officers is that censorship is necessary. Though no exception to many films could be taken, others, representing dancing, coarse, suggestive, and clandestine love scenes, sensational crimes, and Deadwood Dick and bushranging scenes undoubtedly have a harmful effect on the minds of the young. Some officers state that fhe extinguishing of lights while the pictures are in progress is responsible for indulgence in a good deal of indecency. The Premier, after perusal of the rei ports, is of opinion that it is advisable j that pictures depicting criminal phases of life should be lessened, and a slight amendment of the Theatre Act would probably be all that.is needed. He declares the reports do not disclose any indecency.