The above association, under its energetic general secretary, Mrs Mary Whitehouse, continues to press for improved moral standards in programmes on radio and television. Much publicity, much of it adverse, has been given to Mrs Whitehouse’s activities in this field. A recent attempt by her to halt the showing of a particularly abnoxious film failed in Court as, under the Vagrancy Acts, the indecent exhibition must take place in a public place to make it an offence. The magistrate, however, said that in his opinion the film was an indecent exhibition and he felt sad that accomplished actors and actresses should prostitute their manifest talents in this way. He complimented Mrs Whitehouse in bringing the private prosecutions saying that she was a sincere and courageous woman. Is it not time that laws were on the Statute Book forbidding the showing of evil and immoral films? Let the Government act for the public good in this way instead of adopting measures which are only calculated to increase the evil that is abroad in the land.
Famine
We live in a country where famine is rarely known. In some parts of the world it is very much otherwise. At present the Sahel region of West Africa is in a serious condition because of drought, and hundreds of thousands of people will die, it is said, if help is not forthcoming. While being thankful to the Lord for His kindness to us, we are not to forget those who are in very different circumstances. It is good to know that Britain is contributing £5 million towards Sahel relief this year. Would that more of the country’s resources were as well spent.