A RESERVE WEAPON

Hawera Star, Volume L, 25 October 1930, Page 6

A RESERVE WEAPON

FILM TAX CONTROVERSY. IMPORTANT ORDER-IN-COUNCII.. (By Telegraph—Special to ‘‘The Star.") WELLINGTON, Oct. 24. A further development in the dispute between the film renters and the Government is disclosed in an Order-iu-Council published in to-night’s “Gazette.” It states that under the powers of the Customs Act the GovernorGeneral, actino; by and with the advice of the Executive Council, “doth hereby prohibit the importation in New Zealand, save with the consent of the Minister of Customs, of films for cinematographs and similar instruments unless in pursuance of a permit issued in that behalf by the Minister of Internal Affairs. This Ordcr-in-Gouncil shall come into force on and from a date to be determined by the Minister of Customs and to be notified by .publication in the “New Zealand Gazette."

The final clause explains the purpose of the Order-in-Council as a reserve weapon to be used if the American film renters carry out their announced intention not to do business in New Zealand under conditions which they allege are bound to result in losses.

New Zealand film exhibitors, faced with the possibility of the suspension of supplies, have made independent arrangements for programmes, and it is an open secret that they approached the Government for its backing. It was represented that, after going to great expense and undertaking contract obligations, they might be confronted with excessive competition from American sources designed to destroy the independent arrangements. Therefore, it. was suggested to the Government that official protection might he given in such an emergency.

The Government’s favourable answer appears in the Order-in-Council and is available for nse on further notification in the official “Gazette.”