FILM TAX PROPOSALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20628, 29 July 1930, Page 11

FILM TAX PROPOSALS.

'QUITE UNREASONABLE."

EFFECT ON THE INDUSTRY.

The view that the film tax proposals in the Budget would have a disastrous effect im the industry if brought into effect was expressed i>v Mr. S. S. Crick, managing director of tho Fox Film Corporation for ■Australia and New Zealand, wlio arrived in Auckland !>y the Niagara yesterday from Svdnt'v.

" It is bordering on confiscation," Mr. Crick said. "It. is quite unreasonable, although I think it. must have he.en proposed quite unwittingly. The industry has been in a process of evolution, and the costs have been tremendous. .In addition, v.e are now limited to English-speaking countries with talking pictures." Mr. Crick said ho had no objection to British preference, but even if the production of British pictures were increased fivefold it must lio remembered that this would meet only a small percentage of the requirements. When full consideration was given to the proposals Mr. Crick said lio thought a basis would be reached which would allow all parties to continue trading. Tt was iim\ it able that the additional taxation would have to lie passed on to the public, and it. was difficult to know how much more the public could stand. In spite of the depression in Australia the attendances there bad kept up fairly T 'ell, Mr. ('rick said. However, exhibitors were experiencing difficult times owing to the rentals through tlin increased taxation and the expense of installing bilking equipment. Very few exhibitors in Australia were showing a reasonable Profit.