CONTROL OF MOTION PICTURES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 October 1934, Page 9

CONTROL OF MOTION PICTURES

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE BILL WELCOMED BY LABOUR (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 25. The Industries and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives recommended that the Cinematograph Films Bill be allowed to proceed with an amendment which the committee' thought would strengthen the provision contained in the Bill to prevent unfair trading. The committee expressed the opinion that the Bill should be passed into law during the present session. Mr A. Harris (Co., Waitemata), chairman of the committee, said the members of the recess committee which investigated the motion picture industry must be gratified by the reception the provisions of the Bill received in other parts of the world. Mr M. J. Savage, Leader of the Opposition, welcomed the Bill, which, he said, would benefit not only picture theatre proprietors but people who attended pictures generally. He assured the Prime Minister that the passing of the Bill would take only a few minutes or so. Its passing could not be delayed because of lack of time. Mr A. E. Jull (Co., Waipawa) said he hoped some power would be takenunder the Bill to prevent the wholesale building of theatres. Mr H. Atmore (Ind., Nelson) contended that people should have some say in the price they paid for admission to theatres. They should not be dictated to by American and foreign picture syndicates, he said. Mr Harris in reply said clause 13 of the Bill gave the powers Mr Jull desired. During recent years many theatres were built which had no chance of economically carrying on. The report was tabled.