Theatres oppose film bill

Press, 14 August 1980, Page 1

Theatres oppose film bill

PA Auckland Small-town and suburban cinemas throughout. New Zealand would be. forced to close because of* legislation introduced by,, the Government on Tuesday, said the general managers of Kerridge-, Odeon and Amalgamated Theatres.

The legislation, which removed licensing controls on cinemas, would be a “disaster” for the smaller cinemas.

“It will open the field to fly-by-night operators using 16mm films and inadequate facilities,” said Mr L. Vella; the general manager of KerridgeOdeon, yesterday. “Twelve months ago, the Minister of- Internal; Affairs (Mr Highet) assured cinema operators that' the Government was ■ not going- to do anything about removing 'licensing. Then out of the blue it ■does itj” he said. T h e Cinematograph Films Amendment Bill proposes the abolition of : th'e =' Films' Licensing Authority and allows any- ■ body to show’a film anywhere.

Mr Vella said KerridgeOdeon would not be too worried about >.. the new legislation, but he considered the bill to be against the' public interest. . ’ The general manager of Amalgamated Theatres, (Mr J. : Mdodgbe) said the legislation '-.would enable itinerant exhibitors to ■'show films during the school holidays and at other, peak times;