PICTURE FILMS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3141, 20 July 1917, Page 8

PICTURE FILMS

' IMPORTANT RESTRICTIONS, Fear of a, restricted importation of picture films 'under the authority of vtho Federal .Luxuries Board was expressed last week by a deputation to the Federal Prime Minister (Air. Hughes). It was urged that the contemplated action would benefit cirtain vested interests which had been accumulating millions of feet of film. Thus,'it was submitted, would bo created a monopoly to the detriment cf the small picture thoatrc proprietors. 'Tlio deputation, which was introduced by Jl'r. West, M.H.R., consisted of Messrs. It. H. Longford, John Gavin, aud Franklin Barrett (Australian Photo Hay Producers), A. -H. M'lntyre, and AY. K. Rodgers (Federated Picture Showmen's Association of Australia), and Alee I-ori-more (Australian Feature Films, Ltd.). ■ It was stated by Mr. Longford that there was a film trust in existence vhich refused to permit Ihe filming of Austra-lian-made films. Now they heard tlat the combine—which was a hu"e concernwas trying to brin'g about the total restriction of the importation of films for two years. It had millions of "'est of ■films in stock to supply its own ljeads. Mr. Hughes: ; Hoff are they going to bring this about?

Mr. Longford: A combine is no use unless it can control the showmen, and that can only be done by a control the films. -

Mi-. Hughes: This is all news to n.e. I cannot see liow they can. do it. Mr. Longford: By recommending it to you through tho Luxuries Board. Mr. Hughes: I have never heard c.f it. Surely you aro not going to say that the Luxuries-Board is going to recommend what a trust or combine 'suggests?, To the best of my knowledge the Luxuries Board lias not received a representation {rem a single- human being.. The complaint is that, far from seeing people, the boanhwill not them; but is considering things 'on the data supplied by import figures, etc. What I underlain! from you is that this deputation is against a restriction of the -importation : of films. .1 don't think that you heed labour that point any more. I. assure' you that no representation as far-as that is concerned lias yet been made by the Luxuries Board or lias been mooted to me.' Here you complain' to me that a . combine i is boycotting Australian films, and now you say wants to clear -the market of • all the American product. "The showmen," said Mr. A. H. M'lntyre, "view with much concern the possible restriction of tho importation of films. For the last three years wo havo been through a severe struggle with certain combined exchanges, who, unless we signed up to be their customers, and 6aid that wo wou'il take no other films, including Australian goods, refused to supplj. us. Many refused Ho sign, and lost money in the struggle to get an open market' for film supplies. If restriction is imposed we understand that this combine, according to their publicity matter, has huge stocks. Restriction woulH mean that half the picture shows .in tiie city and suburbs would gradually become bankrupt as iho supplies gave out, ami the only people who could rent and run-these'-theatres would be the people with the supply of films. This would eventually lead to an absolute monopoly, which would be ruinous to tile piot'.Ub showmen and detrimental to public interests." Mr. Hughes: Really, no recommendation has' been mado to rae. I can't for the life of me understand hqw you can I.justify, your position as men who desire to encourage the manufacture of films in Australia when you want unrestricted . importation.. Protection under those conditions .would bo a farce. As far as I know if, and when any recommemlu.tion is'made to restrict the, importation of films, your proteßt against that will have tho most. serious consideration of tho. Government, but I haven't heard of any. I am not in favour of that.