BRITISH FILMS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 143, 21 June 1927, Page 10

BRITISH FILMS

PROTECTIVE MEANS

LEGISLATION POSSIBLE

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY

Amongst the proposed legislation which tho Government is to place before Parliament in the course of the forthcoming session, there may bo a Bill dealing with the proportion of British films which it is considered should be exhibited in New Zealand as n means of encouraging the growing film industry of the Empire.

The great activity which has sprung up in the film industry in Great Britain in the past two or threo years was commented upon at the annual general meeting of shareholders in a British film company in Christchurch last week, when it was stated that within tho next few months Britain would be in a position to supply enough films to fill 20 per cent, of tho Dominion's requirements. Tho chairman of directors stated that, although up to tho present nothing had been done by the New Zealand Government to introduce quota legislation in favour of British films and a higher duty on foreign films, he felt sure that as soon as Parliament met the subject would bo dealt with.

AWAITING THE ENGLISH ACT.

The possibility of the introduction of such a Bill was the subject of a question put to the Prime Minister to-day by a "Post" reporter. Mr. Coates said ho would not stato definitely whether there would be legislation on the subject this session. He referred to the Act passed by the British Government early this year, and said that before coming to a decision in the matter he wished to acquaint .himself with the contents of the British measure. He was waiting for the arrival of a copy of the Act from England. The policy of the New Zealand Government in regard to British films was stated by Mr. Coates at the Imperial Conference in October last. He said ho agreed with the importance of assisting the production of British films in every, possible manner. "While I find little fault with films that are produced by foreign countries," he said, "I also realise that if that is allowed to go on they will gradually transplant the feelings, aspirations, and possibly the atmosphere, of our countries into new ones, and we are anxious to retain all the characteristics of the people wo know best —the British race.' Tor that reason, all that New Zealand can do we will do in order that assistance and help and encouragement may be given to the producer so that his films may find a market in New Zealand. AVc know it is a small market, but, on the o',her hand, if we (the Dominions) make an effort, I believe we can encourage capital in the direction of producing films with all the atmosphere of our British people contained in them. Several times we have made attempts definitely to suggest that every theatre must' show at least, we will say, 20 per cent, of British-produced films. The reply lias been, oven from the British representatives themselves in New Zealand, that it is impossible for them to show that quantity for the reason that the production is not forthcoming. It is true that we have gone up from about a per cent, to 13.1 per cent., which is encouraging, as showing that we are no doubt getting more films produced in Great Britain and the Empire than wo did previously. AYe are anxious that we should co-operato and givo exactly the same inducement to sister Dominions as wo do to Great Britain."

THE ENGLISH ACT.

The British Government's Cinematograph Films Act relating to so-called "feature films," or films depictiii<r dramas, requires that all such film?) should bo registered by the Board of Trade, and restricts the so-called "blind" booking and advance boqki«g. It imposes an obligation on renters to acquire a minimum length of British films as compared with tho total length of films handled. The quota is fixed at 7-J per cent, iv 1928, increasing 2i per cent, annually until it roaches 25 per cent. Exhibitors are under a similar obligation, except thai their quota is not operative before 1921), while the quota is calculated not merely on length of film but on the total feet of film multiplied by the number of times it is exhibited and the normal hours of the ordinary programme. ThtAct defines British film—namely, it must be made by British subjects or a company constituted under law of some part of tho Empire. Studio scenes nmst be photographed within tho Empire unless the Board of Trade permits photographing elsewhere in order to secure a British atmosphere. The scenario or work on which it is based must be written by a British subject. Finally, at least 75 per cent, of the salaries and wages paid in respect of tho making of a film, exclusive of producer's fee or one "star," must be. paid to British people or persons domiciled within the Empire.