MOTION PICTURE INQUIRY

Evening Star, Issue 21720, 15 May 1934, Page 18

MOTION PICTURE INQUIRY

THE FINDINGS ANNOUNCED [Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 10. The report ol the Motion Picture inquiry Committee was released for publication to-day. in an accompanying statement the Minister of industries and Commerce, Mr Masters, said a very complete and comprehensive inquiry had been made into the whole industry, every phase of which had been exhaustively investigated. ” I hope that as a result,” he said, “ the industry will be placed on a better basis, and that it will lead to smoother working in regard to him exchanges, exhibitors, and the public. The committee’s recommendations will be considered by Cabinet at an early date, and any matters requiring legislation will be dealt with during the forthcoming session of Parliament.” The committee recommended;— That it be made a condition of issue of a renter’s license under the Cinematograph Films Act that the licensee shall use for his business only such standard form of contract as may be approved by the Minister, such approval to be given for a period of not more than two years. That no film-renting contract shall be approved by the Minister which provides for a higher minimum charge than fid for admission to a picture theatre, except for better-grade pictures; or for not exceeding 5U per cent, of the films rented to any exhibitor on a percentage basis, provided that such differentiation in charges is jointly approved by the renters and exhibitors' organisations. In the event of the parties failing to agree, it is recommended that the minimum be reduced to fid without qualification. It is also recommended that, before approving any contract form, the Minister should be given a report on it by an advisory committee under the Cinematograph Films 'Act.

That legislation bo passed giving an exhibitor the right to reject 2o per cent, of all films “ block booked.” That statutory provision be made for the prevention of a monopoly of film supplies. That the Act be amended to permit the exhibition by film societies of films which have not been approved by the censor, subject to certain conditions. That the technica 1 details of the legislation recommended by the report be submitted to an advisory committee. That provision be made for the control and issue of licenses for picture 'this subject, the committee recommends, inter alia, that the decision in respect to the issue of a license be made by a magistrate, assisted by an assessor representing the applicant, and one representative of the interests opposing the application. REGULATIONS JUSTIFIED.

The report of the committee stated that, after considering the evidence, it was of opinion that the Government had had ample justification for making regulations under the Board of Trade Act, and further, it would have been in the interests of both the exhibition side of the industry and the investing public if the regulations had continued in force, it did not appear that theatregoers had been aftected by their operation to any appreciable extent. From the criticism which had been directed to the Government’s action it was evident that there had been considerable misconception in respect both to the purpose and the effect of the regulations. It had apparently been assumed that the regulations would in considerable measure prohibit theatre building, but of twenty-four applications for licenses made during the period the regulations had been in force only two (Morrinsville and Rotorua) had been refused. The committee reviewed the steps taken in respect of applications for licenses, and pointed out that the investigating officer had been instructed to state the facts only, and not to submit recommendations. The officer’s report, together with similar reports from the chief inspector under the Cinematograph Films Act were then submitted to Mr Page, S.M., who, as chairman of the Advisory Committee under the Act, had a good knowledge of the industry. Copies of the reports were forwarded by Air Page to both the applicants and the interests opposing a license, with the request that they submit any further information considered proper. After receiving the replies Mr Page made his recommendation to the Minister, and the files showed that this recommendation had been followed by the Minister in every instance.

CENSORSHIP SATISFACTORY. The committee expresses the opinion that the censorship by a single censor, as in New Zealand, is preferable to the operation of a censorship board. The censor indicates in his certificate the type of picture—whether suitable for adult audiences only or for universal exhibition —and the regulations require the exhibitor to publish the nature of the certificate in every newspaper advertisement. The question then becomes one of parental control. The committee is of opinion that the censorship is at present carried out in a very satisfactory manner. CLEAN PICTURES DRAW. It noted that the evidence given hy the exhibitors shows, as a general rule, that the pictures which have the best box office results arc those of a clean, wholesome type. The committee is satisfied that the censorship of posters has also been satisfactorily carried out. With respect to the Censorship Appeal Board, the committee is of opinion that the appointment of members should be made only for a definite period, so that the question of personnel will automatically come up for review from time to time. FILM SOCIETIES. Dealing with film societies, the committee stated that power had lieen sought to exempt a _ film society from the censorship provisions of the Act if the Minister was satisfied: (T) That the society making the application was representative of the educational and repertory, literary, cultural, and scientific sections of the community; (2) that the society be incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act, and that it undertakes at least six two-hour exhibitions per annum ; (3) that the films exhibited by the society be chosen from those that have passed the London County Council, either for a film society, or for general exhibition. The committee recommended that provision be made, as desired by the film societies, subject to the further provision that membership of the society, and attendance at film exhibitions be limited to persons over the age of eighteen. It also recommended that the censor should report on all films screened hy the society. FILM MONOPOLY, The following recommendations were made in reference to monopoly of film supplies;—(l) That, ft ho made an offence for an exhibitor to hire more

films than are necessary for the opera- * tion of his theatre; (2) that rejection rights be exercised within twenty-one days; (3) that a renter having films available (which are not contracted for with another exhibitor in the same town or situation, or which are rejected by such exhibitor) be required to rent such films on request to another exhibitor on the usual terms and conditions; (4) that provision be made for the prevention of monopolies on the lines of section 5 of the Commercial Trusts Act. EFFECT OF DEPRESSION FELT [Special to the ‘ Stak.’J WELLINGTON, May 16. The effect of the depression on picture theatre receipts is strikingly shown in the Motion Picture Committee’s report to the Government, its figures being based on those submitted to the Commissioner of Taxes. For the year 1930-3.1 renters’ ’ gross receipts were £500,000, and the estimated theatre takings £1,750,000. In 1931-32 renters’ receipts were £321,132, and the gross takings £1,284,528; in 193233 renters’ receipts were £282,908, and gross takings £1,131,624; in 1933-34 renters’ receipts were £272,015, and the gross theatre takings £1,088,060. The committee estimates renters’ share gross takings as lower than in 1929, but it would average 25 per cent.