PICTURE PROGRAMMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11505, 29 September 1915, Page 5

PICTURE PROGRAMMES.

SENSATIONAL FILMS CONDEMNED ACTION TAKEN BY EDUCATION BOARD. The question of submitting picture programmes to a proper cen.sors'h.ip was fully discussed at the meeting of the North Canterbury Education Board this morning. Tho honorary secretary of the Canterbury Women's Institute wrote draw'ng attention to tho "retrogressive tendency of the picture shows today." Any wholesome means of entertainment and improvement were to be encouraged and stimulated, the letter stated, and the institute wished iu no way to disparage the kinematograph, but i-o emphasise that it was not fulfilling its opportunities for usefulness and culture. By means of picture shows a taste for good reading night be promoted by more frequent presentations of classical novels and plays; the life and scenic beauties of other lands might be brought home to those who could not travel, and an intimate acquaintance with the fascinating processes ot agriculture, md\istry, commerce and science obtained without the tedium of tho class-room. Instead of that one found increasingly films of conjugal infidelity and unhappiness, sentimental, sensational, or criminal escapades, and incidents vulgar rather than comic. The institute expressed gratification at the proposed legislation for tho safety aaid sanitation of th© buildings utilised, but further urged that the cleanliness and general influence of the films must be improved and maintained at a high standard.

Tho chairman (Mr 0. H. Opie) said that the matter was a very important one, as it touched vitally on educational problems. Moving pictures were capable of much good if tho right class were screened, but it was unfortunate that tho theatre had developed a tendency to show p'ctivres which were calculated to do more harm than good. A large number of children attended these programmes, when they were at their most impressionable age. and in their interests the board should do anything it could to raise the standard of the films. In the schools the children weife taught along eertatn lines and as far as lie could judge and as far as he could see the influence of the p ; ctttres had a tendency in the opposite direction. Although a large percentage of the people attended picture theatres there were many others who did hot go at all, simply because they disapproved of the class of programme shown. Ho moved that tne board should support- the views of the Canterbury Women's Institute. Mr W. H. Collins seconded the motion. Ho thought that something should be- done to cur!) the morbid tendencies of the programmes now being screened, as he regarded them as being detrimental to tho interests of the young. It was time that the authorities took seme action to prevent the screening of degrading films, and he was glad that the matter had been brought up.

Mr IT, Boyd faid that a few years ago educational subjects occupied a good deal of the prjg'amme, but at the present time the-e films were hardly being shown at nil. the programmes consisting almost entirely of sensational films which did net have si. good influence on those who satv them. Mr J. Jamicson contend?d that the subject was outside the scope of the board, which should concern itself with educational mv tiers only. He considered that all the board needed to do, if it wanted to take action was to write to the picture theatre proprietors asking them to show more educational films. He said that ho very seldom rent to picture theatres, and when he did go he did not rind the programme very elevating, but the board should leave the matter to other bodies. Mr M. Dalziel said that tho best thanks were due to the. ladies of the institute for taking an interest in the matter, wh.eh he considered was of vital importance, as it concerned the wellbeing of thee hildrer.. The Board should do wnatever it could to stop the evil being done, to young children through the sensational and degrading piccuroi which were being screened. Mr E. H. Andrews agreed with the previous speakers that a large number of pictures ehown could ha.ve only an evil influence. He did not go to picture, theatres more than twice a year, but he had attended one lsst night, and the picture had shown crime, in its worst form. He regarded such films as having a bad influence, and he agreed that %he beard should endeavour to do something to raise the standard of the programmes. Some good might result if application were made to the body control!.ng the film supplies asking it to endeavour to select a better class of film and include moro scenic and industrial films on the programmes. Mr T. W. Adams said that he seldom went to picture theatres, but from what he had heard of the matter lie could only form the opinion that tho programmes were of a very depraved class and were dragging the public taste lower and lower. In the interests of the children it was necessary to try and remedy matters, as moving pictures could, if properly used, be one of tho most valuable means of education, for tho reason that the eyes conveyed a better impression of things to the mind than the hearing. The principle of the moving pictures should not be condemned, but the board should use its best endeavours to have only good films shown. Mr G. Ronnie said that he had never attended a picture theatre in Christchurch, and he was unable to express an opinion o?i the matter. The motion was carried unanimously.