CHILDREN'S CINEMA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20255, 15 May 1929, Page 15

CHILDREN'S CINEMA.

SHOWING SUITABLE FILMS^

PRESBYTERIAN APPROVAL. PRESENT TYPES - CRITICISED. The proposal to establish a children s cinema was supported by the Auckland Presbytery yesterday. On the motion of the convener of the Public Questions Committee, the Rev. W. L, Marsh, the following resolution was adopted:—"ln view of tho growing influence of the cinema and its effect upon the moral character of the community the presbytery cordially welcomes the proposal for a children's picture theatre, where films suitable for juvenile audiences will be shown."

Mr. Marsh said the presbytery could, of course, give the proposed children's theatre their blessing, but he thought the matter required more consideration. He referred to the voluminous report of the Expert Committee tof ••' the League of Nations on the effect of films on child welfare. This committee bad analysed 250 popular films shown in three different countries, and it found in them 87 murders, 51 cases tof adultery, 19 seductions, 22 abductions arid 45 suicides, while 176 thieves and 35 drunkards were unrolled as the chief heroes and heroines of these films..

Mr. Marsh said he was afraid that those who knew the pictures here would confirm this. He had lately been persuaded to waste some valuable hours of bis life in picture theatres, and he had been horrified at what he saw. Tho " talkies " had great possibilities for good and still more for evil, and the element of suggestion in matters that could scarcely be censored was fraught with the gravest danger. The Rev. W. Mawson asked how the programme was to bo censored. He mentioned a children's programme be had seen and into which every objectionable element had been introduced. Mr. Marsh added to his motion a recommendation for the appointment of a representative advisory committee to assist in the choice of programmes.