"WHITE CARGO"

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16210, 7 December 1926, Page 5

"WHITE CARGO"

PROTEST AGAINST PLAY CENSORS SUGGESTED (Srecial to the Herald.) AUCKLAND, this day. A protest against the staging of the play " White Cargo " was made recently to the Government by the Auckland Council of Christian Congregations, which complained: of the language used in the play, and suggested! that a representative board of censors should be set op to .read all plays before their production in New Zealand, with power of veto.

At last evening's meeting of the council the following letter from the Minister of Justice? Air. F. J. Rolleston, was read: "I have received your let- • ter of October 2Z regarding the pla'y ' White Cargo.' I had previously .received complaiuts in regard to this, and as a, result I gave instructions that experienced officers of the police force should attend the performances of the play in different towns. As a result 1 have now received three independent reports which agree in conclusion that the production of the play discloses nu ground for police interference. I understand that no police action has been taken in regard to the play in either England or Australia, where the law is similar to our own. The only charge -that could bo laid is one of indecent language, and the police advise that there is not sufficient ground for'this. " I shall be pleased to consider your suggestion that the law should! be amended to provide for a representative board of censors to read all plays before they are introduced into New Zealand. I adniit the great difficulty of dealing with this class of thing, and one is always confronted with the fact that a prosecution, successful or unsuccessful, would l only end in a play receiving a big advertisement." The letter was received.

The chairman, Dr. H. Ranston, remarked that unfortunately there had not been room for a police ' prosecution. However, there was room for a board of censors in New Zealand. It was satisfactory that the -Minister of Justice had thought.the matter important enough to trrite a letter of some length about it.