FILM CENSORSHIP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17229, 8 April 1930, Page 9

FILM CENSORSHIP

ALLEGED LAXITY DEPUTATION TO MINISTER (Per Proßs Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. . Reasons for their contention that stricter censorship should be imposed on cinema films were submitted to the Minister- for Internal Affairs, the Hon. I’. A. de la Pcrrcllc, by a deputation representing the Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic:, Methodist, Raptist and Chureh of Christ churches, the Salvation Army and the Y.M.O.A. The Minister said that he was pleased to receive the deputation and recognised its importance, representing, as it did, practically all the churches of the Dominion. He thoroughly sympathised with their desire to see the amusements of people cleansed from all demoralising elements. He was totally opposed to the exhibition of undesirable films. He valued the contribution the churches mude to the moral life of the community , hut the task of censorship was extremely difficult. The censor, Mr. Tanner, took his work very seriously, and was eager to make the picture theatre a means of true benefit to tlie people, lie (the Minister), had received a deputation of women asking for the redress of the poster evil, and he had resolved to bring posters under the 'censorship. Many of the films were, no doubt, quite unfit for children, and the censor had duly informed the management of the picture houses and had made public intimation of the fact. A member of the deputation : “That only plays into the hands of the manage l inert t and secures for them bigger attendances." The Minister said that he would take their representations into serious consideration and confer with the censor and see what might ho done.