FILM QUOTAS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 261, 4 August 1928, Page 10

FILM QUOTAS

LEGISLATION REINTRODUCED

BILL SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME BUT MORE COMPREHENSIVE In its proposals for the exhibition of definite quotas of New Zealand and British films in (he moving picture theatres of the Dominion, and. for the imposition of a film hire tax. lhe Kineinatograph Films Bill, read a first time in the House of Representatives yesterday, is the sanw as that introduced last year. The new measure, however, is a- much more comprehensive one than its predecessor. for it seeks to incorporate in one statute, all the laws affecting the industry, notably the Censorship Act, 1916, and those parts of the Dangerous Goods and Explosives Act, relating to the storage and transportation of films. Provision is also made for the setting up of an Advisory Committee, with representatives of the commercial interests affected to assist the Government in the administration of the' measure. It is the intention of the Government to refer the Bill to a .special Select Committee to enable representations to be made from those affected by the proposals. Under last year's Bill, the duty of registering films was imposed at least nominally.on the Minister of Internal Affairs, but it is now proposed to appoint an officer in the Public Service to act as registrar. It is held that this appointment will not involve any considerable increase in the cost of administration, since it is contemplated that the office of registrar will be held in conjunction with that of censor, or other appropriate office iu the Public Service. Proposed Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee which is proposed in the new Bill, is to-consist of not more than two representatives of licensed renters, with an equal number of representatives of licensed exhibitors, together with not more than three other persons who are not to have any pecuniary interest in the industry. The Prime Minister, in announcing the terms of the Bill in the House, intimated that if was intended that a Government representative would be chairman of the board, and he hinted that in committee amendments might be introduced throwing greater responsibility upon the. board. As.thc.Bill now stands, the.functions of the committee proposed are purely advisory. Quota Schedules. The quota schedules in the Bill provide that in 1929, the renters shall provide "i per cent, of New Zealand or British films; 10 per cent, in 1930 and 1931; 12J per cent, in 1932; 15 per cent, in 1933; 171 per cent, in 1934 and 1935; and thereafter, 20 per cent, until 1940. The exhibitors’ quota provides for the screening of 5 - per cent, of British or New Zealand films in 1930; 7 J per cent, for 1931 and 1932; 10 per cent, in 1933; 121 per cent, in 1934; 15 per cent, in 1935 and 1936; and thereafter 20 percent. until 1941. In respect of the renters, the quota year is to end ou December 31, while that for the exhibitors is to end on September 30. The film hire tax, which is recoverable by the Commissioner of Taxes, is to be 5 per cent, of the gross receipts in respect of the renting of New Zealand films, 74 per cent, for British films, and 12J per cent, for foreign films.

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION

THE QUESTION OF RATING

Aspects of hospital Administration and rating were debated in the House of Representatives yesterday ou the presentation of the annual report of the Health Department. Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland MJest) said he was not one of 'those who thought we were spending too much in the interests of the people’s health so long as the money was well and economically spent. There was a tendency in such matters as the hospital system to shift their responsibilities _ to other shoulders, particularly in dealing with distress. ', There was a growing • , cost borne by the hospitals in this matter. He thought this expenditure' might ,as well be made a charge on the whole of the taxpayers. There was room for an investigation of the whole of the hospital system in this direction. Mr. J. Linklater (Manawatu) expressed the opinion that the time had arrived when there should be a ‘more equitable distribution of the burden on local bodies in connection with hospital administration. Mr. W. S. Glenn (Rangitikei) said that the health of the Dominion was of the foremost importance. It should not be neglected, and he trusted that the pruning knife would not be applied to the Health Department. If the Labour Party moved that an extra half million pounds be voted for the purposes of the Health Department, he would vote with them. . . The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) : That is a good offer. Mr. J. G. Rolleston (IVaitomo). referred to the increased anxiety that hospital boards were experiencing owing to expenditure, which was increasing by leaps and bound's. ■ The country was paying too great a share of hospital management expenditure in comparison with that which the towns were paying. Mr. H- M. Campbell (Hawke’s Bay) said that in some of the counties the hospital rate was about ten 'times that of the towns in the same hospital board district. The whole thing wanted look-

ing into, as the difficulties the cotinties were up against in regard to finding money for reading were serious to the ratepayers concerned. It was not fair that filings should run in such a lopsided manner as they were to-day. Sir John Luke (Wellington North) said that any money spent in tuberculosis sanatoria was justified. The treatment provided enabled many young men and women who would otherwise be placed on one side as having no chance of living to be given an opportunity •of regaining their health and place m the. community.. . ' The report was talked out.