THE REPORT ON MORALS

Perhaps the cynics will say that the British every now and again are roused to periods of moral fervour and concern, during which times they unaccountably take strong exception to something which before, (and, often, afterwards too) they proceed stolidly to ignore. There is little doubt that this comment has much truth in it; but the cynic would overlook the fact that much-needed reforms often stem from such period of general sanctity. The concern, however shortlived it my be, really does some good.  In the present instance, it looks rather as though film society members have some reason to think so.

The conditions under which the Censor works in this country are not as good as they might be. Legislation in the early thirties (1934) provided him with his position, and his task. Since then, successive governments have failed to make the full complement of regulations under the legislation which would enable him to carry out his statutory duties - and more, to see that they were effectively implemented.

Last year's legislation, too, was to be regarded more as a key which unlocked the way to regulations which could really insist on certain very necessary reforms. But we gather that since then, continuing discussions with the Trade have been necessary to get somewhere on framing these regulations. Now, the Committee of Enquiry appears likely by its report to have provided the final impetus to the action on the regulations. For this (if it turns out to be so) we should be grateful. In fact, the report of the committee, so far as we can judge from newspaper summarising so far established, seems balanced.

The report does not, for example, seem to echo all the usual inanities about the wicked influence of the films on "modern youth". Instead, it recognises that some youngsters who aren't under proper control anyway may use the local cinemas as stamping grounds; and that along with many other things, some films may have an effect on them. But the report does recognise that the work of the Censor already does assist to control the more obvious dangers, at least.

We cannot emphasise too strongly that the Censorship system in this country is a valuable and, for film society members, an essential part of the distribution system. Particularly as it has been operated during the term of the present Censor (Gordon Mirams) it has every advantage and few (if any) disadvantages for us. The films which are cut genuinely need cutting; normally, cuts would occur, say, in a western film where too much violence might make it unsuitable for the juvenile audience to whom it was otherwise aimed. The use of restrictive certificates (i,e. certificates which state that exhibition is to be only to audiences above a certain age, or with some other specification) are, indeed, designed to protect rather than to deprive the adult filmgoer.

In their absonce, the Censor would normally have no alternative but to cut a film, possibly beyond recogition, or to ban it altogether. There are - and most certainly ought to be - films which aren't suitable for children or young people. If they can't be excluded from the audiences, then the films oughtn't to be shown. So the restrictive certificate, as it operates here, enables adult films to come into the country and bn screene as their makers intended them to be. The committee of enquiry seems to have recognised this fact, and recognised that the way to protect youngsters (where protection is demanded) certainly isn't to ban good, adult films. For this we must indeed be thankful.

As "consumers" we seem to have precious little say in what happens, although the NZ Film Institute has taken, and will continue to take, a very close and active interest in what happens to these pieces of legislation and regulations . At times like this, the Institute clearly demonstrates that, while, it more than Justifies its existence as an importer of special films for the use of film societies throughout the country, as the only spokesman for people who take an active interest in films, it can do a valuable and necessary job.