GUARDING PUBLIC MORALS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3431, 24 January 1912, Page 8

GUARDING PUBLIC MORALS.

BISHOP OF LONDON- DOUBTFUL ABOUT THE UNCLOTHED DANCE.

The prevention of the circulation ot pernicious and demoralising literature was the subject raised by a deputation to Mr. M’Kenna at the Home Office lately. The deputation, numbering about 100 members, included the of London, five other bishops, Prebendary Carliie, and headmasters, of several of the leading public schools, and was introduced by the Earl of Aberdeen. The speeches had special reference to the Bill to amend the Indecent Advertisements Act, the means of dealing with a. certain type of literature, and the amendment of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. The Bishop of London referred during liis remarks to the publication of picture postcards and certain illustrated papers. The circulation of these was a matter of great concern to those who were concerned with the moral'welfare of young people. . , The entertainments now provided by the music halls were for the most part satisfactory, but the deputation were doubtful about the so-called -dance which seemed to demand a minimum amount of clothing for the performer. The Home Secretary said that the task of controlling and discriminating in regard to indecent publications was a very difficult one. The House, of Lords had drafted a Bill on the subject, but the Government thought it contained much highly contentious matter. There were some to whom the rights of individual liberty- were becoming almost a fetish, but he could recognise no claim for that liberty which was to be. used for the demoralisation of the young and helpless. Referring to the White Slave Traffic Bill (not yet read a second time), Mr. M-'lCenna said that with next session bo heavily mortgaged he could not undertake to introduce the Bill, but there were other ways and means. . Mr. M'Kenna’s attention was called in the House of Commons on Thursday by Mr. H. Law to the refusal of the Lord Chamberlain to licence two short plays by Mr. Laurence C-owen. The Home Secretary said that lie had had the misfortune to read one of the plays, and would extremely regret that it should ever be licensed. The Home Secretary, in reply to Viscount Wolmer, said that there was no intention of issuing an instruction to the iiolice for the general suppression of whist drives in London. Lord Wolmer had referred to the action of the police in warning the promoters of a wliist drive at Brockley that- it would be illegal On the point of law he was referred to the Attorney-General.