CONTROL OF PICTURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17276, 27 September 1919, Page 8

CONTROL OF PICTURES.

ELIMINATION OF COMBINES. CONFERENCE TO BE CALLED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HASTINGS. Friday. The question of film monopolies was discussed at a meeting of the Hastings Borough Council last night. Mr. Fowler moved, " That the council take steps to call a conference of independent picture showmen throughout the Dominion to be held at Wellington next month to support the remit carried by the Municipal. Conference regarding Government control of films, and to take such steps as will prevent the business tailing into the hands of a combine or monopoly." In support of the motion, Mr. Fowler said that, as picture exhibitors, they must realise they had not only to look at the business 6ide, but must also keep moral obligations in view. They must provide public amusement of a right kind at a reasonable price. A few years ago there was an attempt to form exhibitors into an association against monopoly, but it was unsuccessful. Unless the council realised the seriousness of the position and assisted in .the formation of an exhibitors' association, they would find themselves up against the same monopoly that existed four or five years ago. At the very least there were 60 independent exhibitors. The total cost to the borough would be only £10 a year, and the proposal was well worth looking into. The Mayor, Mr. Ebbet, said that certainly the censor had cut out the more objectionable parts of pictures, but, in spite of that, the clas6 of films supplied was not elevating or instructive, generally speaking, although there were some excellent pictures If an effort were made to cultivate the better class of picture for children, it would be a fine thing. The exhibition of good films had a great educational influence. The motion was carried t and the Mayor, Mr. Fowler, and the manager of the municipal pictures were appointed to represent the borough at the proposed conference.