FILM INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 60, 12 March 1934, Page 9

FILM INDUSTRY

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY

OPENING TOMORROW

The Parliamentary Committee set- up recently to carry out an investigation of the film industry will commence its sittings in "Wellington tomorrow morning. The proceedings will not be open to the Press. Mr. A. Harris (Government, Waitemata) is chairman of the committee, and the other members are tho Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe), Mr. P. McSkimming (Government, Clutha), Mr. P. A. do la Perrelle (Government, Awarua), Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Independent, Egmont), My. H. Holland (Government, Christchurch North), Mr. A. E. Ansell (Government, Chalmers), Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour, Avon), the Hon. A. D. McLeod (Government, Wairarapa), and Mr. J. A. Lee (Labour, Grey Lynn). The order of reference is as follows: 1. Whether the present forms of contract used by film exchanges are reasonable and equitable, and as to the desirability or otherwise of tho provision of a standard form of contract and the terms and conditions of such contract. 2. Whether any amendments are desirable in regard to amount or form of taxation to which the industry is at present subject. 3. Whether the present system of "blind" and "block" booking should be continued, and whether provision should be made for a statutory rejection of rights, either additional to those at present operating under the •Cinematograph Piluis Act or alternative to such rights, or whether special rejection rights should be provided with respect to "block" booking, and whether differential rejection rights as between exhibitors should be permitted or prescribed. 4. Whether the hiring of films by any exhibitor in respect of any theatre under his control should be restricted to such number of films as is reasonably necessary for the effective operation of such theatre, and whether special provision is desirable for , competitive theatres under equitable conditions. 5. Whether the proposals of the Exhibitors' Association with reference to insurance against loss or damage to films are reasonable as an alternative to the condition insisted upon by renters under tho present contract, and if so whether provisions should bo made for giving effect to such proposals. 6. Whether the clause in the contract requiring a minimum charge of Is for admission to theatres is reasonable, or whether a modification is desirable in certain cases in the public interest. 7. Whether any restriction on erection or licensing Of additional theatres or on those already existing is desirable in the interest of the industry or in the public interest to prevent economic waste. 8. Whether any amendments arc desirable in the present provisions of the Cinematograph Films Act or regulations. 9. Whether any provision is desirable for setting up a board or committee for the internal control-of the industry and the settlement of difficulties which may arise as between renter and exhibitor, also the constitution of such board, and whether Government representation is desirable.