CENSORSHIP OF FILMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 30 April 1934, Page 2

CENSORSHIP OF FILMS

RADICAL IMPROVEMENTS URGED STRONG AUCKLAND DEPUTATION (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, This Day. A deputation representing educational, religious and social organisations of Auckland waited on Mr Coates and asked for a radical improvement in the censorship of films and film posters, and an alteration in the constitution of the Appeal Board. Mr Mahon, headmaster of the Grammar School, said that Cabinet had not acted when representations were made previously on the same subject. The deputation wished the appeal board to he made an independent judicial body. All posters should be subject to strict censorship, and film censorship exercised in conserving the best interests of the community. There was a substantial pressure of public opinion behind the movement for reform. At present the censor's imprimatur was absolutely no guide to the quality or character; of a film. Archbishop Averill, Bishop Liston and others also spoke, and the deputation submitted a plan which it suggested should be followed by the censor. Mr Coates, in reply, said that film renters were only too anxious to import films which would conform to the requirements of the New Zealand community, and he advised the deputation as a preliminary step to confer with the renters to see if some basis' for an improvement could he devised.