HARMFUL POSTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20744, 11 December 1930, Page 20

HARMFUL POSTERS.

EFFECT UPON CHILDREN.

DEPUTATION i"0 MINISTER

An assurance that the question of objectionable posters was receiving attention by the Government was given by the Hon. H. Atmore, Minister of Education, to a deputation from J Uie Auckland branch of the National Council of Women, which waited upon him yesterday. Various matters concerning the welfare of women and children were discussed with the Minister by the deputation. Miss E. Melville said that many of, the posters displayed in public were of an objectionable nature. The effect upon tho minds of young children was very harmful and it served to undermine the good, character-building work carried out by the officers of the Child Welfare Department.

"This is one of the evil influences against which social workers are fighting," said Sister Hannah. "We are trying to raise loyal citizens away from these influences." Miss A. Basten asked that the law governing the censorship of posters should be made mare stringent and should bo more particularly applied. At present there was a great difficulty in having posters censored, she said. Miss B. Carnachaji and Miss S. E. Jackson dealt with the operation of the Child Welfare Act, and suggested amendments which were thought desirable.

In reply, tho Minister said he agreed as to tho desirability of a stricter censorship of motion-picture posters. The matter had already been brought before Cabinet by the Minister of Internal Affairs and the necessary steps would be taken to ensure clean, healthy advertisements. Referring to tho Child Welfaro Act, the Minister said ho was pleased to sec that many of the charges brought against the working of the department had been inquired into by tho representatives of different women's organisations, and that the results were satisfactory. Tho suggestions made wero welcomed, as it was desired to improve tho system in every way.