BRITISH FILMS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18680, 1 May 1926, Page 10

BRITISH FILMS.

RECIPROCITY SCHEME. A VOLUNTARY QUOTA. (rooa.otra ow* cosebspoitdekt.) LONDON, illwchUa... The Joint Trade Committee «!'the.British film.' industry, which has been considering methods for reviving, the production, of films in this country, liau received an invitation to meet the President, of the. Bo&rd of Trade.' The Film, Correspondent', 'of the; "Morning Post" understands that the" object of this conference is to give Sir Philip Cun-liffe-Lister an opportunity to explain the Government's attitude to tho problem of British fiims,..and ,to tell 'tie trade What' he himself. thinks of ,'the present situation.' It is believed tliat.t-he President is in favour of 'the trade accepting the principle of a voluntary quota, by .which' renters would halndlo voluntarily and exhibitors show voluntarily'ft certain number of, British films each ydar. In that case he would keep the prospect of a compulsory quota in the background for'lis® if - the voluntary method failed. He is now anxious,' it' is thought, to ask the trade what would •be the best method* of' working, a voluntary, quota. The trade will ->occpt the invitation, but it is not yet ready to lay eny- fresh ; scheme before the Government, as its • present _ deliberations are not complete. The meetings of the sub-committee dealing-with the'matter have been ■ private,' but there is • good reason for supposing . that the trade is trying to fevolve some solution along the lines of reciprocity with A®* 1 ' 0 " 11 firms. This scheme would enable soine British films to be exploited in America as a, aet-oS to tjie large number of ■American films' shown.-here. Mr Simon Rowson, the chairman 1 of. the renters' .-organisation, and also of tho subcommittee, has urged a, (scheme of reciprocity on the trade for a long though he stated recently that it was a pity the ■ idea had not been adopted a long while ago.