FILMS IN THE HOME

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 116, 19 May 1941, Page 8

FILMS IN THE HOME

BREACHES OF THE

LAW

A TIGHTENING UP

In consequence of the risk of fire and of the highly poisonous gases'given off by burning film which had caused fatalities, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) said today that steps were being taken to tighten up the administration of the law which prevented the screening of film in private houses or in other unauthorised premises.

Complaints made about the practice, which, he said, was considered to be a menace to public safety, showed there was today an increasing number of private individuals possessing 35mm cinematograph projectors screening highly inflammable motion picture films in their own homes. It 'was an offence, the Minister stated, against the controlling regulations to screen inflammable motion picture film of any description except under the conditions prescribed by licence issued under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1928. It was also an offence to store this class of film in a private house and, in fact, in any premises not provided with an approved fireproof vault or an isolated store.

"It is fully realised," Mr. Parry added, "a good deal of entertainment in the home is given by these 35mm cinematograph projectors, but owners are running grave risk of fire. Notice in the interests "of the public must be taken of breaches of the Cinematograph Films Act. 1928. Moreover, film comes within the category of dangerous goods, necessitating a licence for its storage. There is the probability that if a fire occurred in an unlicensed building where film was stored the insurance policy on that building would be nullified."