FILMS CENSORSHIP BILL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9417, 2 August 1916, Page 6

FILMS CENSORSHIP BILL

I CO,OOO FEET OF FILM IMPORTED BACH WEEK.

The Hon. G. W. Russell moved the second reading of the Cinematograph „ u i Owaoo-ouip Bib. Ho ooiievea, ne said, that there was 100,000 feet of film imported into tho country each week, ana men would bo appointed ,as censors who had no crochets, but were good, average men who knew wnat was wnac,— what purity was—and would realise that they were not appointed to destroy the capital or aim importers, out to protect the public against indecent or otherwise unuosiraoio pictures. Ho fnougut that rue.o v.aa no need tor an appeal against the decision of the censor, as it would only as a rule bo portions of the film that wouul be destroyed. He could not help feeling that tho picture-hall proprietors wore responsible for a great deal of the feeling a.frmat themselves by reason of the ghastly posters, which in most cases advertised the very worst reature of a film. Some could only be described its an outrage upon public decency, and it might be necessary to strengthen tho law to deal with the films, if the picture-proprietors were wrse they would very eareuuiy censor those posters themselves.

JtU- J. Payne (Grey Lynn) thought that the war period was not a time to introduce s ucii legislation, interfering with a legitimate business. In Wellington, witn M> many suiaiers in camp and so many people coming to the city to see them, business in the picture-halls was gouu, but in otner places that was not so, and he thought that the bill might-rif the censor was not the right broad-minded stamp of man—work considerable hardship. The pictures screened, be maintained, would compare very tavourabiy with-any vaudeville entertainment, pantomime, or ballet. in every pantomime there vverp postures resorted to which might bo objected to. A lewd mind woum see things to which a ■in mind would bo quite oblivious No douot -sew semuii demanded a clear, entertainment, but the disability about the him business was that we were thousands of mites from : the market where the films had to be bought. It was an intricate and difficult business, films were imported in bulk, and they were costly, lie suggested that the polio* had plenary powers at present to prevent anything that wan ; actually in decent. Instead of this bill, if the At toruey-Generai would instruct the police to take action on the complaint of any person on a particular point the needs of public morality would be amply pro tected. If several censors were appoint cd various standards of criticism might be observed and confusion would result. The public of New Zealand would not stand an indecent entertainment, and theatrical managers were not fools enough to bump up against public opinion'. There was no necessity for this particular bill. So far as English and French pictures were concerned they already emerged through a censorship. The bill certainly went too far in providing that pictures. might be censored on the ground that they were "undesirable in the public interest." The second reading of the bill was then carried, and it was committed. On clause 1, “Short Title, Mr Payne suggested that a clause should be introduced providing that all films imported should be new and not worn. Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) urged the necessity of .providing for an appeal. Mr Ji McCombs (Lyttelton) asked for an explanation 'from the Minister on the subject of appeal. The Hon. G. W. Russell said he was not prepared to insist on a particular class of films being imported- It was desired to interfere with the details of the film business as little as possible. The matter of appeal could be considered under regulations. The clause was agreed to. On clause 2, "Films to be approved by censor," Mr Witty suggested that a clause should be inserted on the subject of appeals. A magistrate might be called anon to act. 'The Hon. Q. W. Russell was prepared to go the length of admitting an appeal, but could not say at present what form it should take. He would have a provision on the subject proposed in the other Chamber.

Mr Payne asked what salary would be naid to a censor.

Mr Russell said it would first have to be ascertained how much time would be occupied in the work. Probably three days a week would suffice, and members of the Public Service might be employed. At present the Government was feeling its way. Probably one or two censors would act in Wellington, one in Auckland, and another in Invercargill. The clause was agreed to. On clause 4, “Duty of censors,”

Mr Payne moved an amendment providing that a censor must not approve of any bnt new films. He wanted to provide against “junk” being thrust on the public, which through use could not be produced without a flicker.

Mr Bussell said he could not accept the amendment, as be was asked to decide on a matter that he did not understand.

. Hr Witty thought the matter was an important one. There was no reason whv a censor should not prevent worn out films from coming into circulation. Mr Payne urged that the provision was in the interests of the rising generation, whose eyes should not be worried with “worn out junk." He would like a promise for a recommittal to consider the point. Mr Bussell said that if advised by experts he would act in the direction urged under the heading "undesirable in the nublic interest." Mr Payne withdrew his amendment. On the motion of the Minister a subclause was added that there should bo a "right of appeal against any decision by a censor." The clause as amended was passed and the remainder of the bill was passed. The measure then passed its third reading.