PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 143, 18 June 1937, Page 11

PICTURE THEATRES

CONTROL OF LICENCES

REGULATIONS ISSUED

Regulations concerning the issue of picture theatre licences and the control of the exhibition of films are contained in a Gazette issued last evening.

. If in any locality tliere are one or more theatres where public exhibitions of films are given by an exhibitor or exhibitors licensed under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1928, and an application is received by the licensing officer for a licence for an additional theatre, or for an increase in the number of seats in any existing licensed theatre, •which increase involves a structural alteration to the building, or an increase in the number of nights per •week oh.which exhibitions of film are licensed to take place, the licensing officer may refuse to issue such licence where he is satisfied:—

?(a> That the existing theatre or theatres provide adequately for the requirements of the locality having regard to the, entertainment value and .date of release of the films exhibited, the seating accommodation and general amenities provided, the number of nights, per week on which exhibitions are given, the prices charged for admission,. and any other relevant considerations affecting the public interest.

(b). That in,view of the conditions existing in the industry or the limited number of films of reasonable exhibition value obtainable -in the market, the granting of further licences in the locality or the licensing of additional seating accommodation or of exhibition on additional nights would cause undue hardship to such existing- licensed exhibitor or exhibitors or would result in unreasonable economic waste.

If any application is received by tho licensing.-, officer for a licence for an existing licensed theatre from any person other than the existing holder, or. in the case of an expired licence, the previous holder, he may refuse to issue such licence.where he is satisfied that the issue would involve an unreasonable hardship on the existing or previous holder, or. where in his opinion the issue is not in the public interest, having regard to tlie conditions existing in the industry. ,

In the event, of failure by any licensed exhibitor to carry out exhibitions in accordance with the terms of hiss' licence the licensing officer may, on the expiration of the existing! licence, refuse to issue a further; licence, or -may issue a further; licence, in accordance with the normal I practice of the exhibitor during the! six : months preceding the application , for such licence. Where the licensing officer is satisJfied that in any licensed theatre the conditions existing do not provide adequately for the requirements of the locality with regard to public entertainment, he may require the licensed exhibitor to improve the conditions to any standard deemed necessary by him, and in default of compliar.ee with such requisition he may on expiration, of the existing licence refuse to issue a further licence in respect of that theatre.