ID cards would end red faces over age

The Rhodesia Herald,

January 29, 1974 IDENTITY cards have been suggested by a Salisbury cinema manager who wants to avoid embarrassment when enforcing age limits.

Mr Edward Brent, manager of Kine 300 and Kine 400, has also welcomed the moves to cut the top age restriction imposed by the censors from 21 to 18.

“It is fitting and proper that at the age of 18, a person should be allowed to see a film which has been released worldwide.”

The difference the restrictions would make to business was small. “I don’t think this will create an upsurge at all,” Mr Brent added.

The chairman of the Board of Censors, Mr Allan Wright, said at the weekend that the board would consider tough measures to enforce age limits — including spot checks and test prosecutions.

Mr Brent said: “I feel that there should be some form of identity card issued which states date of birth so we don’t have to have arguments with people about their age.”

He believed this would take away the need to involve his African door staff and usherettes in cross-examining people about their age.

The five age grades which will remain in force are: No age restriction, no age restriction, but parental guidance advised, no admission under 14, no admission under 16 and, no admission under 18.

The managing director of the Rainbow group of cinemas, Mr G. Pereira, also welcomed the lowering of the top age restriction from 21 to 18 describing it as “a wonderful idea”.

But he did not think it would mean more business for cinemas.

Mr Pereira did not support the idea of identity cards. But he said spot checks were standard practice “all over the world”.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

◆ Age limits or restrictions are rules that detail the given age a person has to be in order to access certain services. ◆ Identity documents (IDs) are pieces of identification, used to prove a person’s identity. ID documents include state ID cards, passports, drivers licenses, official birth certificates, official marriage certificates, etc.

◆ Age restrictions should not be limited to movie houses, but the limitations should be extended to bars, nightclubs, retail outlets and restaurants that sell alcoholic beverages.

◆ In some countries, when age restrictions are in place, the only IDs used are those with the owner’s picture and name; and, an ID with owner’s name, picture and date of birth.

◆ With the abuse of alcohol among children and young people, there is need to impose age limits in bottle stores and retail outlets that sell alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Those who break the law must be severely punished.

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