SUPPLY OF FILMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 227, 25 September 1930, Page 3

SUPPLY OF FILMS.

MOVE OF EXHIBITORS. CO-OFEBATIVE BUYING. NEGOTIATIONS PROCEEDING. The threat by representatives of American film producers to suspend •business in New Zealand owing to the film hire tax of 25 per cent has spurred the Motion Picture Exhibitors' Association into action and a mavement is on foot to start an exhibitors' cooperative exchange, independent of the existing film renters. Negotiations are proceeding with, certain "independent" producers for pictures and a quantity of film'has already teen negotiated for. The Exhibitors' Association is appealing for support, and many favourable replies have been received from theatre proprietors. Sufficient film has been contracted for under existing arrangements for at least three months, as far as certain "first-run" houses are concerned, but theatres that have not made contracts <ind have preferred "spot'"' 'booking are viewing the future "with apprehension. If the principal American distributors cease dealing with New Zealand, British and Continental producers will still be able to supply a number of films, as well as the American independents.