COUNCIL OF WOMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21328, 1 November 1932, Page 3

COUNCIL OF WOMEN

THE STANDARD OF FILMS GIRLS IN CHINESE GARDENS Disappointment was expressed at a meeting of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women, over which Miss Ellen Melville, president, presided, at the lack ox support given by the other branches of the council to the request for co-operation in making representations to tho Government on the question of the Bible in schools. As replies from the branches were not received by the Dominion executive in time to make the necessary representations, the latter was forced to drop the matter. A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs. Turner for giving a concert in aid of the furnishing fund for tho new room, this resulting in a donation of £2 18s. The president also reported that the Avondale Women's Club had given a further £4 to tho council for the same fund. It wa~ decided to devote this to a piano fund for the council and a vote of thanks was passed to Miss Newton and the club. Mrs. Ifowden was appointed convener of the house committee. Mrs. Ilaresnape and Mrs. R. Watson were welcomed to tho meeting as representatives of the Community Club. A letter was received from the secretary of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board stating that it was not practicable at the present time to appoint a woman relief officer, as to do so would displace a male officer on the staff. In reply to a letter from the council protesting against Sunday cinemas, an answer was received from the Newmarket Borough Council stating that the money resulting from the picture shows on Sundays was devoted to relieving cases of distress in the borough. It was decided to write a letter of appreciation to Mr. W. P. Endean, M.P., for his efforts in getting seine netters prohibited from fishing in certain areas of the Hauraki Gtilf. It was stated that regulations were to be issued to that effect. Tho matter of women and girls working in Chinese gardens was again brought forward. After some discussion it was decided to ask tho social service committee of the council to endeavour to obtain first-hand information about the problems involved, and to bring it before the council at a later date. Miss Melville reported upon the steps that had been taken to get a better type of film shown. Interviews had been sought with the directors of picture theatres, and in most cases a wish to cooperate with the council had been expressed. In certain directions it, had been realised that a largo section of the public was not attending picture shows because they did not care for the pictures that were being shown. Some of the difficulties that confronted them were stated by some of tho directors, the biggest being certain clauses in the Films Act of 1928 limiting their powers of rejection. After discussion three suggestions were evolved, said Miss Melville. These were: To increase tho right of rejection from 5 per cent to 15 per cent or 20 per cent; to organise a better films movement to work on the lines of the associations that existed for the same purpose in other countries; that the National Council in New Zealand should get into touch with the National Council in America and seek its co-operation in getting better pictures. In answer to a suggestion that moro foreign films should be excluded, Miss Melville pointed out that some of these were a most valuable means of education. "They are the only means that many New Zealand people have of getting any idea of outside countries," she said. "We must not be too narrow in our views,-'