CENSORSHIP OF FILMS

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1933, Page 9

CENSORSHIP OF FILMS

FILM SOCIETY PROSECUTED WELLINGTON TRIAL CASE HEARD. UNAPPROVED PICTURES SHOWN. FIRST OF THE KIND IN DOMINION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The contention that films exhibited by the Wellington Film Society (Inc.) were for those interested in cultural development and were not commercially successful was made in the Magistrate’s Court to-day when the society was proceeded against by William John Murray for showing certain* films in Shortt’s theatre to which a charge was made for admittance, the films not being approved by the censor. Mr. P. Macassey for the informant said the Wellington Film Society had 250 members, each of whom paid a subscription of a guinea, which enabled him to obtain two tickets to witness each screening. The spirit of the Act ,was that there should be no screening of films unless they were passed by the censor. If the practice were allowed to continue it would nullify the work of the censor and it was probable many societies would spring up in New Zealand and there would be nothing to stop them spreading subversive propaganda. Mr. Leicester, for the defence,* said the Wellington society was the first of its kind in New Zealand. Similar societies were being formed in the chief centres and the decision in this case might have a very important bearing, not only on the operations of such societies but on the cultural development of the film in New Zealand.

"If we do not have, a society like this, which is modelled on the Film Society of London,” said Mr. Leicester, "we are debarred from seeing tire better clasp of films and those of an educational and cultural quality, which in several instances are not shown in picture houses because they are not commercially successful. If the censor has to approve all films then the society will not be able to carry out its objects.” Mr, Leicester said the society’s membership composed several reputable professional men and no intelligent people could take exception to the films that had been shown. He submitted that the whole object of the film censorship was to safeguard the public in respect of pictures shown to the general body of filmgoers. Members of a film society were interested in film from a technical aspect. After hearing further submissions the magistrate, Mr. E. Page, said he would take time to consider the case.