(4) To report to the National Council the evidence taken, together with its findings and recommendations.
The Cinema Commission commenced its labours on January 8, 1917, and terminated on July 9, 1917. Forty-three witnesses were examined, representing the different interests in the country. In addition to the time taken up for the hearing of these witnesses, sittings were held at a private theatre for the inspection of the films complained of. It also extensively visited cinema halls in the course of its labours.
The headings for discussion were:—The standard of judgment, Special consideration regarding the cinema as a place of amusement, The moral dangers of darkness, The character of the film, Need of a stricter censorship, Special claims of children, Special inquiry regarding the influence of the picture house upon children, Juvenile crime, Replies of chief constables, Ideas of life and conduct, Special provision for the young, The value of the picture house, The cinema as a counter-attraction to the public-house.
The Commission also adopted the roll of educational expert, carrying out a number of psychological experiments.
(1) The durability of cinema impressions on school children;
(2) Mental fatigue caused by instruction by means of the cinema;
(3) Tests of education by cinematographical methods, in comparison with the ordinary method of instruction;
(4) In which direction the most fruitful and permanent results could be obtained by the cinema;
(5) The possibility of the cinema in cultivating an æsthetic appreciation;
(6) The most advantageous way of correlating the work of the school with that of the cinema, and the most economical method of using the cinema for this purpose;