THE SUPPLY OF PICTURE FILMS

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 220, 16 September 1919, Page 9

THE SUPPLY OF PICTURE FILMS

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Th e conference of tie Municipal Association at Wellington, in calling attention to tlie difficulties that surround theatre proprietors in obtaining suitable cinematographic film, have certainly performed a public service, for I believe that this supply, moulding, as it does, public opinion to an extent hitherto only dimly recognised, is ol immense importance to the community. The question should not only be viewed from a moral, but also from aesthetic standpoint, good taste, 'being to niy mind as important as good morals. At the present time "there are a great many good films, that owing to the foreign trade methods are never seen in this country, and I believe that if the purchase and distribution of such films were undertaken by the Government that the innovation would be welcomed by the public, ai* it certainly would be by a large majority of theatre proprietors. Mr. Ebbett, the Mayor of Hastings, und Mr. Mackay, the Mayor ol Wnnganui, deserve the thanks of the community for directing the attention to the operations of the so-called film "combine" or "trust," but there are other excellent sources of film supply available, the only trouble being that these are not sufficiently numerous. Government competition would deliver theatre proprietors and their patrons from the menace of this combine, nnd tend to check harsh and unconscionable trade methods, but need not necessarily affect legitimate private enterprise. —i am, etc.." ARTHUR COE.