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Films of the Month April 1955

Page history last edited by FilmSociety@gmail.com 7 years, 6 months ago

NO SIGN OF ACTIVITY

This year's conference of the NZ Film Institute, the federal body of NZ film societies, considered at some length the position of censorship and licensing regulations. These regulations should have followed the passing of the 1953 ammendment to the Act, and the Act was more or less useless without detailed administrative regulations. Following an explaination in 'Films of the Month" last November, the conference decided that the Government should be approached and asked to let the Institute comment on the regrulations which it was Known had been drafted.


Discussions with representatives of the trade had, as newspapers indicated, been going on for some time in 1954. Undoubtedly the draft reggulations had been discussed with the trade. These are important to us. First, through the Institute, we are the only organisation of "consumers" in the film business. Secondly, the effect of the regulations is of concern because they will determine the way in which censorship is to be implemented and that certainly affects all consumers.


It is now understood that the Department is not willing to let the Institute see a draft of the regulations, although it is almost certain that the trade has done so. This is not satisfactory. If the Departiuent takes the view that regulations like these should be available in draft form to outside parties, then there may be some reason for this - though I doubt it. But it is hardly consistent to discuss them with the trade but refuse to allow consumers to comment on what is proposed.

 

The next best thing - and it is definitely only a substitute - is for the Institute to put forward, neverthelese, its views on what changes the regulations ought to make. To some extent we will be acting in the blind, because we do not know whether the trade, or the Department, would support these or oppose them. We don't even know whether they have been considered, or would be.


Censorship is badly in need of overhaul. The Censor has been doing his valiant best with antiquated and inadequcate regulations, and it has been a good best. We'd like to see some action on the regulations - so that, for instance, it isn't possible to screen trailers of unsuitable films at children's matinees: or so that the Censor's ruling will always accompany any advertising or screening of all films. In this way, the Censor can do an effective job, and the public will become educated to use his rulings for their own guidance.

 

lt's now eight months, at least, since discussions on the revision were going on. How much longer do we have to wait for signs of activity?

 

 

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