PROTECTION OF CHILDREN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16570, 1 November 1921, Page 4

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN.

ALLEGED ASSAULTS IN PICTURES,

The City Council, at its meeting last, night, rcceircd a letter from the Society ior the Protection of Women and Children stating that at a recent meeting of the society the matter of assaults upon young children committed in picture theatres was discussed .and the following resolution adopted : That owing to recent cases of assault upon children in picture theatres, this society is of opinion that the. municipal aMthorities should require better lighting in the theatres and that closer supervision should be given iri some theatres and that it would he a wise step if certain scats could l>e set aside for children una t ten de d by adults. Councillor JJ. F. Herbert said that as Hcturo .shows were darkened there should be sj>oeial seats for children. At one picture show in Christchurch it was possible to read a newspaper while the pictures were being screened, and better lighting should be insisted on in all the other theatres. Tie moved that the resolution should be endorsed. Councillor E. At’Combs said that there was no need for picture theatres being so dark. Special seats should be provided and there should also be womeu police to look after the interests of women and children. Councillor C. A\'. Hervey asked if tlio council had any information regarding the allegations. "No official reports,” said the Deputy-Mayor. Councillor Hervey said that he had heard of no snob cases, and he considered that the picture theatres in Christchurch were as well conducted as any theatres in the Dominion. The motion was a slur on the theatres. He had not. heard of any young children, being assaulted in any picture theatre, and until be beard of a case be would voto tor nothing. Councillor Herbert said that if Councillor Hervey read the newspapers be would know that, there was a case before the Supreme Court at the present moment, in which the accused bad pleaded guilty and had been remanded ior sentence on Friday. Councillor K. D. Martin said that almost every week there bad been assaults on young children that were not brought before the public., as the parents wore not prepared to brand their little girfs with the publicity of Court cases. No reflection was cast on the picture proprietors by the motion, which would assist them to make the theatres decent and proper places for children. The same thing probably applied throughout New Zealand. Tlo supported Councillor AFCombs's proposal for women polieo. Councillor D. G. Sullivan said that if the offences were going on, as alleged, it was the bounden duty of the council to investigate the matter and ask for the co-operation of the picture managers. He also agreed on the necessity for women police, who gave good service to women and children. It would ho wise to support members in this matter. Councillor A. Mnnbire said that if the offences had been going on the council should have been informed of it. There was one case before the Supreme Court, but the man concerned was of weak intellect, and the council should ask the picture managers if the allegations were true. Councillor H. F. Armstrong said that the better lighting of ihoatres and the appointment of women police bad his sympathy, but he would not endorse the motion, as the case now before ..the Oo’urt, ho believed, was the only one ever heard in Christchurch or even New Zealand. The evil, be believed, was not as great as was represented ; and persons who intended to commit offences wore not likely to go to picture shows, which were always crowded. “ Seldom in the afternoons” sagd Councillor Al’Coinbs. Councillor Armstrong said that ho would not voto for anything that convoyed the impression that Christchurch had reached such a deplorable state of affairs. It sounded to him like a “ wowser ” resolution. A few persons

wore alarmed at a. state of affairs which did not exist. “You don’t know,” said Councillor Martin. " 1 want absolute proof before 1 condemn Christchurch,” said Councillor A rmstrong. Councillor J. IT. Archer said that Councillor Armstrong need not b© agitated about the exact wording of the resolution, which endeavoured to deal effectively with the situation that bad arisen Councillor Armstrong might think that those things did not happen, but those who were in a position to know, as he was, could give facts. The offences occurred not only at night but on Saturday afternoons. “ What about other places? ” said Counoillor Hervey. Councillor Archer said that there wos one place that had a good dea.l of dirt on the platform, and it might he better if the hall were brightly illuminated. On Saturday afternoon tlie picture shows wero mainly patronised bv children and it was indisputable that in t.hes* theatre* children were interfered with. The interference might not always be of a particular kind, but it might still I>c offensive and improper. The council was there to look after the interests, not of the picture shows, but of the public. The Deputy-Mayor suggested, as an alternative motion : That in view of the recent case of an assault on a child in a picture theatre, the By-laws Committee be requested to consider and report whether it is not advisable that picture theatres should be better lighted and closer supervision given and special scats be set aside for children unattended by adults.” f; If the council insists on better lighting arc the patrons going to have better pictures?” asked Councillor Hervey. The Deputy-Mayor reminded Councillor Hervey that lie could orb speak an in personal explanation if he had been m i . '‘lt is a, gross injustice to the picture proprietors,” said Councillor Hervey. who remained standing. “You will pleas© resume your seat." said the Depruty-Mayor. “Prevention is better than cure,” said Councillor Wiosor, who said that offences against young children wore common. He knew of a girl of 15 who was dying to-day while some beast of a, man bad got off scot free be< sue© something was said about his being mentally deficient. There were too many “mentally deficients,” and young girls should be better protected. He made no reflection on picture proprietors, but if picture shows lent themselves to such offences it would b© better to improve them Councillor Armstrong said that the motion referred to recent cases in Christchurch. Yet only one case was mentioned. The motion as suggested by the Deputy-Mayor was accepted by Councillor Herbert aDd carried, with onlv one objection Councillor ITervev voted