A CRITICISED PLAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19504, 7 December 1926, Page 12

A CRITICISED PLAY.

ATTACK ON " WHITE CARGO." POLICE REPORTS OBTAINED. NO GROUND FOR PROSECUTION. A protest against the staging of the play "White, Cargo was made recently to the Government "By the Auckland Council of Christian Congregations, which complained of the language used in the play, and suggested that a representative board of consGrs should be set up to read all plays before their production in Few Zealand, with power of veto. At last evening's meeting of the council the following letter from the Minister of Justice, Hon. F. J. Rolleston, was read:— " I have received your letter of October 22 regarding the play 'White Cargo.' I had previously received complaints in regard to this, and as a result I. gave instructions that experienced officers of the police force should attend the performance of the play in the different towns. As a result I have now received, three independent reports, all of whicS. agree in the conclusion that the production of the j play discloses no ground lor police inter-j ference. " I understand that no police action has been taken in regard to the play in either England or Australia, where the law is similar to our own. The only charge that could be laid is one of indecent language, and the police ' advise that there is not sufficient ground for this. ." ;I shall bo pleased to consider your suggestion that the law should be. amended to provide for', a representative board of censors to read all plays before they are introduced- into New Zealand. I admit the great difficulty of dealing with this class of thing, and one is always confronted with the fact that a prosecution, successful or unsuccessful, would only result in the play receiving a big advertisement." The letter was received. The chairman, the Rev. Dr. 11. Ranston, remarked that unfortunately there had not been room for a police prosecution. However, there was room for a board of censors in New Zealand. It was satisfactory that the Minister of Justice had thought the matter important enough to write a letter of some length about it. .