FILM INDUSTRY INQUIRY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 186, 19 May 1948, Page 2

FILM INDUSTRY INQUIRY

Opening Sitting of Committee MR GIRLING-BUTCHER’S EVIDENCE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 18. Curiosity about, what had prompted a decision to hold the inquiry into the motion picture industry by a Parliamentary committee was expressed at the committe’s opening sitting to-day by two Opposition members, Messrs W. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo) and T. L. Macdonald (Wallace). Mr Broadfoot asked for what purpose had the inquiry been called. He had expected that Mr R. Hardie Boys, counsel for the Crown, would have directed the committee to the matters it had to consider.

Mr R. M. Maefarlane, chairman of the committee, said Mr Boys had set out what these question-3 were. The order of reference contained 13 Claudes, but it might be possible to narrow them down.

Mr Broadfoot said that Mr Boys had, refei*red to a monopoly and licensing and he presumed the committee had to deal with those questions. Mr Macdonald said it would be interesting to know exactly what had prompted the inquiry. Mr R. GirlingButcher, late chief inspector of films, had stated in his evidence that amenities In New Zealand theatres were higher and prices lower than in any other country. Mr Girling-Butcher had also stated that information available did not disclose any outstanding evils in the chain operator-indepen-dent situation. It did seem that the present inquiry was somewhat different from the one in 1934, for that inquiry aros6 out of & sorios of disagreements between exhibitors and film exchanges. He thought the position would be clarified if they know who asked for the inquiry.

Representations by Unions

Mr Girling-Butcher replied that there had been certain representations about public safety in theatres and representations had also been made from time to time by certain independent exhibitors who had a fear of what migjit happen in the way of monopoly rather than of what had happened, Mr Macdonald: From whom came the representations about public safety ? Mr Girling-Butcher: They were made by certain trade unions. “The industry itself is represented, but the great body of the public from which the industry derives its revenue will be largely inarticulate at this inquiry,” said Mr Hardie Boys, for the Crown. For that reason the committee might find itself charged with an obligation of seeing how far public needs required to be met. The public asked for entertainment from the industry, but it might be given much more at the same time. _ Mr Hardie Boys said the question of monopoly was at the forefront of the questions listed for the inquiry. The committee would also have to consider the question of cartels. Giving evidence earlier in tbe sitting, Mr Girling-Butcher said the quality of British films had shown a considerable advance. The outstanding feature of the British industry was the emergence of Mr J. Arthur RankMr Girling-Butcher said admission prices were still the same as before the war and substantially the same as during the depression. On the face of it there was some justification for a review, which had been asked for by the industry. On the other hand the Price Tribunal might consider theatre balance-sheets did not justify an increase. Theatre audiences had increased. The information available to department officers did not reveal outstanding evil® in the chain-opera-tor-independent situation. Something more than half the business was under one control and more than three-quar-ters in two hands. The possibility of economic pressure might justify keeping the situation under observation. Figures submitted to the committee showed that 17 British films find 280 foreign films were passed by the censor last year for screening in New Zealand. In the previous year 31 British films had 309 foreign films were approved by the censor.

Percentage of British Films

Reasons for the small percentage of British films were sought by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer) from Mr R. Girling-Butcher, late chief inspector of films. Mr Girling-Butcher said he understood it was because of the holding. up of certain releases from England which were now coming to hand. The Minister: What held these Ip? Mr Girling-Butcher said he was unable to say. The Minister: Was this hold-up apparent before the war? Mr Girling-Butcher replied no. The figures before the war showed a more reasonable proportion of British films. Experience in recent years showed that British films were more successful than American films. The figures given related to’ feature films. The actual position was probably better than the figures indicated, for British films showed for a longer period and in more centres than American films. The opinion that 85 per cent, of the picture theatres in New Zealand would be able to stand a major earthquake, was expressed by Mr Girling-Butcher in reply to an inquiry by Mr Nordmeyer about safety provisions in theatres.

“Are you. satisfied in your own mind that the • major theatres are reasonably safe?” asked the Minister. Mr Girling-Butcher: In most cases, yes. That means in some eases, no? — That is so.

Most of your inspection bf theatres has been in connection with fire risk. Would you express an opinion as to how they would stand up to a major earthquake? Mr Girling-Butcher said that 90 per cent, of them would be satisfactory. All theatres altered since 1931 had been required to put in earthquakeresisting construction. Only some had been altered in the South Island, but more had been altered in the North Island.