CLEANSING THE FILMS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 112, 8 April 1930, Page 7

CLEANSING THE FILMS.

REQUEST BY CHURCHES. MINISTER. Per Press Association. . WELLINGTON, April 8. Reasons for their contention that a stricter censorship should bo imposed on cinema films, were submitted to ihe Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. P. A. de la Perelle, by a deputation representing the Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, ■ Methodist. Baptist and Church of Christ churches, the Salvation Army and the Y.M.C.A. Mr de la Perelle said that he was pleased to receive the deputation and recognised its importance, representing as it practically all the churches of the Dominion. _He thoroughly sympathised with their desire to see the amusements of the people cleansed from all demoralising elements. He was totally opposed to the exhibition of undesirable films. He valued the contribution the churches made to the moral life of.the community, but the task of censorship was extremely difficult. The censor, Mr Tanner, took his work very seriously and was eager to make' the picture theatre a means of true benefit to the people. The; Minister added that he had received 'a deputation of women asking for redress of the poster evil, and he had resolved to bring posters under censorship. Many of the films were, no doubt, quite unfit for children, and the censor duly informed the managements of picture houses, who made public intimation of the fact. A member of the deputation: “That only plays into the hands of the management and secures for them bigger attendances.” Mr de la Perelle said that he would take their representations into serious consideration, and confer with the censor and see what might be done.