RENTING OF FILMS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20088, 18 November 1930, Page 15

RENTING OF FILMS.

A FURTHER HITCH. (raaaa associatiok ruLtaEtx.) WELLINGTON, November 17. Very little business has been done in film circles since the Acting-Prime Minister made a statement early last week that the dispute between the Government and the distributors had come to an end For a day or two after that announcement the film agencies in Wellington awaited instructions from their head offices in Sydney as to recommencing business, but even when the esesntial word was given there was no rush of showmen desiring to book films which had been accumulating on the shelves of the renters in this country. When tliis matter was enquired into it was found that there waa an obstacle m the form of a new clause which exhibitors signing new contracts were being asked to subscribe to, its nature, it is said, being such that exhibitors have hesitated to make contracts which are not wholly binding upon the renter. On the renter's part this clause is claimed to be a safeguard against possible developments or adjustments in taxation as the result ol the enquiry promised to the trnae in March next. Members of the executive or the Motion Picture Exhibitors' Association met this morning to discuss matters in connexion with the clause, and as a result negotiations are to be opened up with the distributors with a- view of having the proposed clause either wholly eliminated or modified.