Screening of Picture During School Hours

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 97, 24 April 1941, Page 9

Screening of Picture During School Hours

DEPARTMENTAL REQUEST TURNED DOWN A circular letter from the Education Department reporting the screening of a film, “One Hundred Crowded Years,” for patriotic purposes, and asking the board’s permiosion for children to attend during school hours, caused some discussion at the monthly meeting of the Wanganui Education Board yesterday. Several members drew attention to the board’s recently-decided policy in regard to pictures during school hours, and asked why this film could not be screened on Saturday mornings. Mr. I. W. Mud ford said he did not like the idea of a charge being made for admission. When the last patriotic appeal had been launched they had been told that there would not bo another for twelve months. Mr. «T. F. It. Wallace moved that the board express regret that it could not accede to the request, and suggest that the film be screened on Saturday mornings. Mr. W. G. Black pointed out that the picture had been prepared by the Government and was intended to give the children an insight into the progress of New Zealand over the past 100 years. Ho was opposed to the children being exploited for purposes of private gain, but in this case that was not the case, the proceeds being devoted to patriotic purposes. The request to the board was made by the department, and to turn it down would be tantamount to giving the department a slop in the face. Mr. Black then moved as an amendment that the request be approved on the strict understanding that there was no private gain attachable to the charge for admission. In regard to the charge for ad mission, Mr. J. C. Batt suggested that, it involved more than sixpence; some families might have to pay 2s or even On being put to the meeting the amendment was defeated on the voices and the motion carried.