MOVING PICTURES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18016, 3 November 1920, Page 2

MOVING PICTURES.

REPORT OF EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE. The special committee set up by the 1920 Conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute'to report to the executive during the recess on the subject of “Moving Pictures in Relation to the Physical, Mental, and Moral Effect on Children,” has concluded its inquiries. In approaching the subject the committee decided to obtain, by‘ metms of a questionnaire, a poll of representative opinion from local bodies, church societies, labour unions, educational and social organisations, medical associations, magistrates, and Individual members of the community. The form of the questionnaire was as follows: — Do you consider—1. That moving pictures, as at present shown, have an injurious effect upon children and young people, and if so, in what way? 2. That children attend pictures too frequently? 3. That the startdard of picture shown would be elevated by any of the following means. (a) Stricter censorship. (In this connection is a woman censor advisable?) (b) Municipal control, (c) Government control, through Education Department, of pictures for children, (d) Classification of picture films into (1.) adult programme, (ii.) school children programme. The committee is of the opinion that the moving picture may be made a s'trong force in educational, social, and similar development, but condemns the demoralising effect on the young of the present conditions under which children are—(a) Continually shown pictures of unsuitable and demoralising themes; (b) frequently taken out until late hours at night; (c) congregated in vitiated atmosphere for considerable periods. The committee recommends:— 1. That programmes be classified and that children under 14 years be not allowed to attend other than '“junior” programmes2. That suitable programmes be issued through th e Education Department. 3. That pictures be shown, when possible in school buildings, and when this is not practicable in ordinary picture theatres during daylight hours. 4. That in the interests of adolescents and in the upraising of popular taste the censorship be stricter and more discriminating. 5. That a board of censors, to include a woman and a representative of teachers, be established. 6. That the censorship be extended to posters and advertisements.