CHILDREN AND FILMS.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17221, 3 October 1927, Page 9

CHILDREN AND FILMS.

I DREAMING GIRLS. "DAY AFTER" LOVE SCENES. Children who are regular pic luregoers can, be picked out in their class at school, Mr AJban McLachlan told the Royal Commission on the moving picture industry at Sydney. lie added that they were noticeable mostly by lethargy and want of concentration on their work. Mr McLachlan, who is a staff inspector in the Education Department, said further that girls, particularly those from 12 to 14 years of age, saw at the pictures the kind of thing that usually look place in private—lovemaking, passionate embracing, prolonged kissing. It was most un-: natural for them. Such girls dreamed in class. They were awakened by a seemingly unsympathetic teacher, but they soon fell to dreaming again. Witness said the only departmental experiment with films for educational purposes was at Maroubra Junction. The department was not favourable lo such use of films. Prohibition of children from attending pictures more than once a week would be a good thing Mr McLachlan Ihoughl. He was sure harm must follow allowing children lo attend picture shows in the dark without control. Children were getting the "movie" type of mind. Those who went lo - Ihe pictures saw so much life rush past them that they could not sit down and read.

Mr Dcerin (Chief Secretary's Dc parlincnl) advocated uniform censor ship throughout Hie Commonwealth.