FILM CENSORSHIP

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8296, 6 December 1912, Page 1

FILM CENSORSHIP

CONTROL BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES DB SCOTT LIDGETT ON NEED OF reform. LONDON. October 30. There will bo ample material for an animated discussion when tho London County Council gets to grips, as it is expected to do next month, with the various questions that arise out of the growth and enterprise of tho picture palaces. So far. no steps appear to have been taken with regard to the demand, both by members of the public and film manufacturers themselves, for some sort of censorship of pictures. Tho Eev. J. Scott Lidgett, L.C.C., speaking from his experience as a social, religious, and municipal worker, told a "Daily News and Leader" representative yesterday, that he was distinctly in favor of a censorship, for various reasons. MAGISTRATES’ CENSURES. "First,” ho said, "I cannot resist the evidence that is brought to mo that a good many undesirable films are at present exhibited, some of which have a criminal and some a vicious tendency. Moreover, tho frequent references to the subject that are made by magistrates in the administration of justice show that the gravity of the existing evil is fully recognised by them. I think, therefore, that the public is entitled to protection in the matter, and, especially, that the greatest care should be taken that the minds of children should not be perverted by anything they see in. the picture theatres. ‘'Further, X feel that those who deal in films and those who exhibit them at theatres need our assistance. No doubt many of them are anxious to maintain a high level of performance, and they will bo greatly assisted if the public authority assumes some responsibility. A MINIMUM STANDARD. “At the same time,” Dr Lidgett added, "it must bo remembered that such a censorship would establish rather a minimum than a maximum standard of what is desired. So far as 1 can see from the example of other censorships, tho decisions of any censor that oonld be appointed would not be free from, possibly, serious objection. A good many plays and sketches now secure the sanction of the censor which would be condemned by any high moral standard, and the same, would probably be the case with regard to films. With that reservation, however, I am strongly in favor of such a censorship being set up. _ , "As to tho mode of it." said Dr Lidgett, “I am not at present in a position to speak with full information. Judging by the way in which the theatrical censor has done his work, I am strongly in favor of any proposed censorship being under'and controlled by tho local authority, as' I put more confidence in the instincts of an average body representing; the electors than I do in those-who,' 'as theatrical censors, have been appointed in tho past.” ,