BRITISH FILMS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 245, 14 September 1929, Page 4

BRITISH FILMS.

GREATER PROPORTION TO BE FILAIED. WELLINGTON, Sept. 13. Reference was made in Parliament to-day to the increasing popularity of the talkies, while Air R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) expressed the fear that the purity of the English language might be endangered. Air Wright declared that the sound films assisted the introduction of more Americanism, and this might prove detrimental to the children of the Dominion. It was to be regretted that the purity of our language was to he interfered with by American terms and expression, and that the slang words employed by that.country would soon become part of the language hero unless the greatest care were taken. The remedy, of course, was for the United Kingdom to produce all the pictures required by Now Zealand, but; that was an impossibility. Air Wright trusted that the film censor would do his best to prevent the introduction of as much Americanism as possible. Sydney was. becoming rapidly Americanised, and it would be the same with New Zealand if care were not exorcised. The jingoistic nature of a sub-title in a film recently screened in Wellington was referred to by Air W. J. Jordan (Alanukau). The subject was the American' battle-fleet, with the guns uncovered and the Stars and Stripes flying, and while it might be right enough for American people to see pictures of their navy, steps should bo taken to prevent such pictures being shown in New Zealand. Foreign jingoism should be kept out, as it savoured of defiant rather than peaceful intentions. In replying, the Alinister of Internal Affairs (Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle) said he agreed that New Zealand did not want too much Americanism in the talkies. The other evening he had attended a British talkie which proved to be an excellent production. The Minister said he had had a conference in his room of the leading picture interests, and as a result a stipulation had been made that a greater proportion of British-films should be screened in the future. (Hear, hear.)