UNCENSORED FILMS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19626, 21 October 1933, Page 18

UNCENSORED FILMS

ACTION AGAINST EXHIBITORS. By Telegraph-Press Association WELLINGTON. October 20. The contention that the films exhibited by the Wellington Film Society were for those interested in cultural development and were not commercially successful was advanced in the Magistrate’s Court to-day when the Society was proceeded against by William John Murray for showing certain films to which a charge was made for admittance, the films not having been approved by the censor. Mr Macassey, for the informant, said that the Wellington Film Society had 250 members, each of whom paid a subscription of one guinea which enabled him to obtain two tickets to witness a 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 nuuify the work of the censor, and it was probable that many societies would spring up in New Zealand and there would be nothing to stop them from spreading subversive propaganda. Mr Leicester, for the defence, said that the Wellington Society was the first of its kind in New Zealand. Similar societies were being formed in the chief centres and the decision ;n this case might have a very important bearing on the operations of such societies. “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 the better class 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 the films then the society will not be able to carry out its objects." Mr Leicester said that the society's membership was composed of 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 film censorship was to safeguard the public in respect of the pictures shown to the general body of film goers. The members of the Film Society were interested in films from the technical aspect.

After hearing further submissions, Mr E. Page S.M. said he would take time to consider the case.