A PICTURE SHOW CENSOR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143787, 10 May 1912, Page 2

A PICTURE SHOW CENSOR.

MR. J. FULLER’S VIEWS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, May 9. The question of gruesome pictures, and others bordering upon the indecent, exhibited publicly by means of the cinematograph, is attracting considerable attention, and in-to-night’s Post Mr. John Fuller, a member of the wellknown theatrical firm, has a word to ■ say on the subject. He thinks that ' public opinion with the aid: of the press ; would constitute a satisfactory censor- : ship. He, said he believed that if a ' formal board of censors were established the result might easily prove more an . injury than a benefit to the public. The censors might be narrow-minded, and act arbitrarily on lines which would be no more fair to the public than to the promoters of picture entertainments. A rigorous censorship, if extremists got control, might seriously damage an enterprise which was beneficial to tho people. The managers wanted reasonable liberty, and they had no desire to be unduly harassed "and restricted by censors whose judgment might be much biassed. Regarding children, Mr. Fuller said ho< favoured the passing of such “curfew” legislation as some States of America had adopted. Under that law children of comparatively tender years were not allowed to be out in the public streets by night unless accompanied by proper,; guardians. He believed that such alaw would he an advantage in New Zealand. One effect would be to limit the attendance of very young persons at tho night performances of the pic-' ture , theatres, where the programmes, designed mainly for adults, might not . always be suitable in every item for . children. 'He favoured a special matinee for children, and he was willing | that the programmes for such special occasions should be subject to the approval of the municipal authorities.