DUTY ON FILMS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 10, 6 October 1927, Page 8

DUTY ON FILMS

RESTORATION OF OLD RATES THE QUOTA SYSTEM EXHIBITORS WELL SATISFIED Gratification at the restoration of the old duties on films —British free and foreign one penny per lineal foot, instead of the proposed increase to threepence in the latter case—was expressed yesterday by Mr. J. Robertson, secretary of the New Zealand Motion Picture Owners’ Association. Mr. Robertson congratulated the Government on its prompt realisation that the impost would have been a serious hardship, and would not have achieved the object for which it was intended, and also for its courage in at once reverting to the status quo. “Every motion picture exhibitor iu New Zealand,” said Mr. Robertson, “will, no doubt, be highly pleased at the announcement of the Minister of Customs (Hon. W. D. Stewart) that the proposed increase will not be imposed. The Minister’s statement in the House of Representatives, when announcing the Government’s decision on the matter showed that the representations made by my association have been given fair consideration. Two main points were made by us: firstlvi that the increased duty could in no possible way assist in bringing about an increased production of British motion pictures; . and, secondly, that the tax would simply be passed on to the public, and would not be met by those whom the Minister intended should meet it.” The Quota System. While a certain divergence of opinion existed as to whether a quota system would provide the necessary encouragement for British film production, said Mr. Robertson, there was no doubt that it was infinitely more likely to achieve that object than was a Customs tax of so much per foot on celluloid film. When the Government brought down its quota legislation it would, no doubt, refer the Bill to a Select Committee to take evidence. This would provide an opportunity for the Government to acquire all data to enable. it to frame the necessary legislation in orde assist British film production on the one hand, and to secure revenue from where it was due in the film industry, on the other. Government Congratulated. “ The Government,” added Mr. Robertson, “is to be. congratulated on its prompt realisation that the proposed impost would have been a venous hardship and would not have achieved the object for Which it was intended, and also for its courage in at once revert ing to the status quo. I here can be no doubt that it found on making inquiries that the question of a duty on picture films is a much more complicated business than was at first thought. There can be no doubt, also, that li tie itiquirv on the part of numerous Press' correspondents who break out from time to time on tins questio would bring about the same result so fax as they ays concerned- ■