SUPPLY OF FILM

Hawera Star, Volume L, 21 August 1930, Page 8

SUPPLY OF FILM

COLONIAL EMPIRE! MARKET. CINEMA IN EDUCATION. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Aug. 18. The report of the colonial films committee was issued to-day. The committee, under the chairmanship of Sir William Brass, ALP., was appointed in March. 1929, by Mr L. C. Al. S'. Amery, then Secretary for the Colonies, “to examine the arrangements existing for the- supply and censorship of cinematograph films for the public and to consider in what way these' arrangements could be improved.” There were also issued the findings of the Colonial Office conference on the committee’s report and a dispatch fro-m the Colonial Bec.u-e.tary . to the administrations of the colonies.' protectorates and mandated territories indicating the' action it is proposed to take. The committee’s report suggest® various practical measure* by which puaut can. lie. installed 1 and experiments begun with a view to developing the use of the cinouiatograph as an instrument of education.

The Colonial Office conference emphasises the importance, of the’use of films in education especially with primitive peoples, and not only for children, but ul.sc) fc.i adults. As regards the supply of British films, the committee points out that at present, the market in the colonial Empire is largely dominated by foreign turns. Apart from the existing cinemas the committee calls attention to the possibility that in certain directions the market may expand rapidly. Foi example, there are only 3B cinemas in British ti rritory in tropical Africa, though the population is approximately 3G,()( 10.000.

The committee calls attention to the importance of taking steps now, in order that British industry may get .a. footing in this market, ft. accord ing|lv suggests the creation of a small central organisation in London uiincr the auspices of the Federation of British Industries to act as a. centre for the. supply of British films. A small Government guarantee, is suggested during the initial Near of operation of the supervisory board for this organisation. On the question of censorship tho committee points out the danger of demoralising. films. It suggests; certain measures for stiffening local censorship arrangements and that the proposal for a central censorship board in London ’for all films going to tropical Africa, should lie carefully examined in the Colonial .Office. The. committee points out, however, that apart from the negative aspect of censorship, the positive aspect of fostering a supply of good films must also be considered.