UNDESIRABLE MOVING PICTURES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3327, 20 September 1911, Page 9

UNDESIRABLE MOVING PICTURES.

STATE CENSOFJSHIP SUGGESTED PRAISE FOR LOCAL EXHIBITIONS. A question of morality came before the Borough Council at its meeting last night. The clerk of the Rangiom Borough Council wrote stating that the attention of his council had been drawn to the fact that moving pictures of a very undesirable character were being exhibited in the Dominion, and evidence had been given to the Council of an entertainment given in Rangiona recently in which three films were shown which were utterly unfit for children’s eyes. One of them represented two murders, a second pictured a husband’s infidelity, a murder and’ a suicide; while a third suggested a marriage as the only way to escape from disgrace. These films, they were told, were typical of one-tenth of the pictures now' being shown throughout New Zealand, and such being the case his Council was of opinion that some steps should be taken to check this growing evil, and had decided to approach the Government with the object of having a censor ship established to prevent such films being used in the future. He was directed to , ask for the co-operation of the Gisborne Borough Council.

Cr. Darton moved that the letter' be received. He stated that he had been a regular attender at the local theatre), and had never seen a film to which the slightest exception conld be taken. In fact, he considered that the exhibitions as given locally should be encouraged. The Mayor also referred to the high moral tone and satisfactory nature of the local moving picture exhibitions. The motion to receive the letter was carried 1 without further comment.