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restrictions on the freedom of the individual should be
imposed. I hope that those members who have expressed
reservations about the need to retain this regulation in
the longer term will study the proposed legislation most
carefully. I believe they will find much comfort in the
changes we have proposed. The new bill, which was
published in April for public information and comment,
will further limit the powers of the censors. Under the
bill, the composition of the Film Censorship Appeal Board
will be changed substantially, This will enable greater
public participation in the censorship process and will
indeed place the final decision as to whether or not a
film is shown in the hands of a majority of unofficials
rather than a majority of officials as at present. At
will also provide further legal safeguards to ensure that
the censor does not misuse his authority. The bill also
has provision for a degree of liberalisation of the
existing censorship criteria through the classification of
films into three categories. The philosophy behind these
proposals is to strike a balance between giving the public
a chance to see what they wish to see, whilst at the same
time providing safeguards against what the community et
large feels should
should not be publicly exhibited. These
proposals we understand are likely to be welcomed by the
public and the film industry-
Following further discussion with the Ad Hoc
Group and the film industry it is our intention, subject
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