FILM-MAKING BY A.A.

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26122, 26 May 1950, Page 9

FILM-MAKING BY A.A.

INQUIRY TO BE MADE A complete inquiry into the costs and value of the motion-picture service inaugurated by the Automobile Association (Canterbury) will be made by the council. This decision yesterday followed complaints that the outlay was excessive and the return to the association small. Mr W. F. Harley claimed that film making was a waste of time and money for the association. He had believed that the publicity officer (Mr W. D. Frazer) would make films which would be sold abroad for publicity purposes. No such development had apparently taken place. It anpeared that more*than £2OOO had been invested in equipment apart from the officer’s salary. The service had been valuable in attracting new members to the association and visitors to the South Island, said Mr B. J. Ager. The secretary (Mr J. S. Hawkes) said screening of films was provided for many groups in the country where new members were secured. That was a delusion, said Mr Harley. The majority of members joined to qualify for the benefits of the insurance company.

That was an " interesting question said the chairman (Mr L. W. Broadhead) He had. suggested some tim« ago that new members should fill in a short questionary indicating the considerations encouraging their enrolment. That would give some guide to the appreciation of A.A. services Other members of the council claimed that other departments of association work were run at an actual loss, recovered through subscriptions: but thev were amenities which the association wanted to offer members. As a new member ef the council Mr E- C. Champion said ho wondered if the film service had a proper place in the activities of the association. No harm would come from a review of its value.