“A BRITISH FILM”

Evening Star, Issue 19724, 26 November 1927, Page 3

“A BRITISH FILM”

WHAT IS IT ? SOME STRICT PROVISIONS . [From Ouk Pauliamentart Keportek.] ' WELLINGTON, November 25. Since the Cinematograph Films Bib differentiates materially between New Zealand, British, and foreign films with regard to the proportion of films that may be exhibited annually, and also in so far as the tax on film rentals is concerned, it is interesting _to note that the Bill defines in precise terms just what a British film is. ' _ ' A British film means a film which complies with the following requirements :—lt must have been made by a person who was a British subject, or by two or more persons, each of whom was a British-subject, or by a British company. The studio scenes must have been* photographed in a studio in the British Empire elsewhere than in New Zealand. The author of the scenario and the producer must have been British subjects at the time the film was made. Not less than 75 per con I. of salaries, wages, and payment spreifinally paid, for labor and services in the making of the film exclusive of payments in respect of copyright and or salary, or payments to one foreign actor or actress, but inclusive of payments to the author of the scenario) must have been paid to British subjects or to persons domiciled in toe British Empire. A foreign film means every film which is not a New Zealand or a British film. The Prime Minister, who has charge of the Bill, explained that it had been compiled after consultation with the parties interested in the trade, There were, of course, some widely divergent interests, since exhibitors, renters, and wholesalers all looked at the matter from their respective angles.. Each of those interests had made suggestions, and the Bill had then been framed. As it was not proposed that the Bill he put through this session, there would he plenty of opportunity for its full consideration. Asked by Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill) what amount of revenue it was anticipated the tax on rentals would yield, Mr Coates replied that it was impossible to say definitely, but perhaps £30,000 to £40,000. In any case, it would be less than the amount which would have been received had a tax of 3d a foot been imposed as previously suggested when the general tariff revision was under review. The Bill was read a first time. SOME OF THE PROVISIONS Section 3 provides for the prohibition of agreements to exhibit a film more than twelve, months after the date of agreement. Section 5 provides that an exhibitor is to have the right to reject 5 per cent, of the films booked by him before they have been exhibited in New Zealand. This clause is in substitution for the British provision that no agreement to rent a film shall be valid until the film is actually in the country. This provision is not considered feasible in Now Zealand. The quota of British or New Zealand films to he acquired by renters commences on January 1, 1929, at 7) per cent., rising yearly to 20 per cent, in 1936, and remaining at the same percentage for the four succeeding years. Then follows an exhibitor’s quota commencing on July 1. 1929, at 5 per cent, and rising .yearly to 20 peij cent, in 1937, and remaining at the same percentage for four succeeding years,, this being provided‘for in clause 23. This quota applies only to feature film, but other specified films may bo included with the permission of the_ Minister. The provisions of the Bill aro kept nine months behind the proposed provisions of the British Bill in order to allow time for the arrival of films in New Zealand. A now provision not contained in tho British Bill is inserted providing for a tax on the gross returns from the Tenting of films as follows: —New Zealand films, 5 per cent.; British, films, 7-J per cent.; foreign films, 12J- per cent. This tax will take effect in the year 1929.