BETTING AND FILMS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17061, 20 September 1929, Page 4

BETTING AND FILMS

CRITICISM BY CLERGYMEN “AMERICA’S VILEST SIDE” CENSORSHIP OF HOARDINGS. Attacks bn betting at horse races and undesirable types of American motion pictures were made by the Rev. W. E. bush, retiring president, at the annual meeting of the Council of Christain Congregations at Auckland. “There are heaps of tilings which might be greatly improved,” said Air Lush. “We have already made attacks on betting and other gambling, and this year wc will probably have to launch another offensive. Sport is one tiling, but betting on sport is another. “It is perfectly Christain for anyone to take an interest in sport,” lie continued. “There is nothing wrong witli it, but betting gives it a different flavour; it is impossible for a high-minded man to go to races, because he would immediately be associated with gambling. Without betting, horse-racing would he fine sport.” He mentioned a New Zealand clergyman who, when asked why lie did not attend horse races replied : “If they will do without the betting I will go." They did,” said Mr Lush, “and tho clergyman rode on to the course with his daughter and took part in one of the events.” That many good pictures were spoiled by being represented on a programme containing “silly, stupid curtain-raisers,” was an argument stressed hv Air Lush. “Why does America want to put before us tlio vilest, side of her social existence?” lie asked. “What these pictures are like before they are censored, I cannot imagine. What the censor cuts out must be pretty bad.” A censorship of picture boardings some of which, he said, were worse than the films themselves, was urged by the speaker. “Vulgar” was a mild term for some of the hoardings lie had seen. “There are many other things which are worse,” concluded Mr Lush, “and the council can do much to promote a social united Christain feeling in the community that will help to combat such influences.” —Star.