CENSORSHIP OF FILMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20365, 20 September 1929, Page 16

CENSORSHIP OF FILMS.

Sir, —A leading article in Thursday"* Herald and the futile discussion in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, calls attention to a serious problem which, we can no longer afford to ignore. Among its many other humanitarian activities, the League of Nations at Geneva has not failed to call attention to the danger ,of uncensored sound-films, and'to the lamentable results of crime and sex films upon the young. The report published last year by the experts of its Child Welfare Commission is full of vital interest to parents, educators and legislators—if only they will heed it! It is explicit on the demoralising effect on children of sex and crime pictures, especially as the "talkies" threaten a more terrifying realism if street noises and screams of victims are to be reproduced! It points out that " this industry has not the ordinary characteristics of other industrial enterprises; in every direction the moral question presents itself, and here the children's interests must come first." But here in New Zealand do we safeguard our children in any way ? The report describes the legislation which is found necessary in other countries for this purpose. Some will not permit" children or young people under 16 to 18, to attend any movie unless especially licensed as suitable; and all pictures are classified into "A" films' for adults only and "U" films for universal showing. Others will allow no children now to attend movies at night, since they cannot sleep peacefully through "talkies"; and the use of "transparent" screens to ensure a lighted-up audience and proper supervision is required. The report is in favour of a representative national committee—not jsl. single man—"to classify all pictures as good or bad for young people." Then with needful legislation passed to prevent "bad" ones being-shown to the young, much will have been done to ensure a higher standard .being required by the whole commtinity. Another fruitful suggestion in the .report urges all Governments to heavily tax crime and sex films, but to remit or reduce fees for instructive, clean ones, in order to encourage managers to introduce more of the latter I This interesting report ends with the pious hope that " the moral sense of the public would rise to a higher level, and the public would then be able to impose its will on filta producers in the interests of all, particularly of children." Mildred El Stalet. -