Picture Theatre Licenses
Sir, —1 view with alarm the latest departure in autocratic , bureaucracy, namely an Order-in-Uouncil at tbe .instance of the Board of Trade giving the Minister of Industries and Commerce the right to give or deny a license for a picture theatre. The Government has no right to meddle with these things. Hitherto it has been a matter for the city and borough councils, and properly so, because a local body knows the local circumstances and will act for the benefit of the citizens generally. This new idea is an invasion of the powers of tbe local authorities. And where will it stop? Why not protect grocers.from the competition of chain stores by licensing grocers? As to picture theatres, I know a district in the South Island where the people, being poorly served, are to have a new theatre with a better class ot pictures, but under the new Order-m-Couneil the Government can step in and prevent what is for the public good. The Minister of Commerce should make an explanation as to this Mussolini-like action-I am, etc.. Wellington, April 12.
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Bibliographic details
Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 170, 14 April 1932, Page 9
Word Count
183Picture Theatre Licenses Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 170, 14 April 1932, Page 9
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