FILM CENSORSHIP

North Otago Times, Volume CII, Issue 13461, 4 January 1916, Page 7

FILM CENSORSHIP

BISHOP JULIUS SPEAKS OUT.

"PICTURE TOO AWFUL FOR WORDS'.''

CimiSTCIIUKCIJ, December 29. ' J ilon't"go to picture shows," Bis-\ hop Julius said yesterday morning at the conference of the Church of England Men's Society, "but I did go io one, not, ] may say, in this diocese. I was told that the proprietor was ii churchwarden, and thai his show, therefore, would be above reproach. 1 took some little children. I _ saw the most j ghastly things I ever (ireaiiit possible, and I am not at all squeamish. The proprietor spied iiic there and followed me out, and expressed his regret. The, tiling was too awful for words. It was not ail. It was not literature. It wis not that il was indecent. It was simply filth and vulgarity. I am sure that we need a censorship there. As a matter of fact, 1 should like lo transfer tlm newspaper censor to picture shows." Bishop Julius's remarks met-with unanimous approval, aud at the afternoon session the subject was brought, up in the form of » motion by Mr (I. Steuning, that the society should take steps in regard to the closer censorship of all moving pictures. The llev. A. Webb said that the tilins did not constitute the whole of the trouble. The very best of pictures, as well as undesirable ones, were shown in a darkened theatre. There were hidden dangers in the darkened kinciiiiitograph houses, and certain classes of people attending the I heal res had to lie considered as well as Ihe lilms. The church should not sanction the continuance of those dangers, lie realised the dilliciilly of dealing with I lie subject and suggested ,it should be approached with nil care. ,slr liighlon said he considered thai the society s'liould be guided in Ihe mailer by the opinions'of Bishop Julius, which had Ijccii so admirably expressed in his address at Ihe morning session. | The subject should be relegated lo the executive for consideration.

Mr G. Greenwood said lie was of opinion thai the intlueiice of certain classes of films upon the minds of children aud young people was pernicious. Mow the evil was lo be deall willi he could not say. bul lie realised thai acliou was necessary. The executive might be able lo Miggesl a remedy. Oilier speakers admit led llial Ihe subject was one which should be lackled lirmly and with courage. I'iiially il was decided lo refer I'lie question lo Ihe executive for consideration jliul guidance, afler which full dis cussioii could be entered into, if necessary,, by Ihe members of Ihe society.