FILM POSTER CENSORSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20890, 4 June 1931, Page 10

FILM POSTER CENSORSHIP.

LITTLE IMPROVEMENT NOTED. DISCUSSION BY PRESBYTERIANS. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The stricter censorship of film posters provided for by Order-in-Council issued in October last was reported on by the Public Questions Committee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church today as follows: —"The clamant need for stricter censorship of films and posters outside picture theatres and on bill hoardings in the streets was realised by the committee, and tho decision by Order-in-Council to exercise stricter supervision and insist upon registration of such posters was welcomed by tho committee. The new regulation came into force on October 2 and did not act retrospectively, but while expressing pleasure at tho steps taken by tho Government in this matter we regret that there are not visible as yet any marked evidence of improvement in the-posters from a moral and artistic point of view.", " It is a mistake for the Church to be always finding fault," said the Rev. Dr. E. N. Merrington (Dunedin), " and where we find that an improvement has been effected we should say so." Dr. Gibb (Wellington) said it had been whispered to him that the film posters in Dunedin were not nearly so lurid as those in Wellington. An improvement might have been effected, but it would take a powerful magnifying glass to detect it. They had found here that in attempting reforms in cinema films and posters they were up against a conspiracy of silence. The censor had candidly stated that if he were to pass all films which came before him tho public's hair would stand on end. lie had also admitted that ho passed films to which he would not care to take his own wife or daughters. Dr. Merrington: Dr. Gibb has suggested that in Dunedin we arc not brought into touch with the horrors and pitfalls of life to the same extent as are the people of Wellington, but I think it must be admitted that an improvement has been effected in tho cinema films which affronted the public decency a year ago. The following motion was carried:— " The assembly welcomes the Order-in-Council for the stricter censorship of cinema posters and emphasises the need of securing more wholesome entertainment than is frequently provided by films, including 'talkies.' A fuller exercise of the powers of the censor appears to be the only mode by which the standard of cinematograph entertainment can be raised."