MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 36

MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY.

QUOTA OF BRITISH FILMS.

AUCKLAND, July 30. “ The Commonwealth Government has made a decision that the quota of British films must be shown,” said Mr W. Marks, M.P.. who arrived by the Aorangi to-day on his way to the Empire Conference to be held at Ottawa in August. “ Australian picture houses will have to screen 10 per cent British films in the first year, 2G per cent, the next year, and thereafter 30 per cent.” Mr Marks said that he had been occupied for the past .12 months as chairman of the. Australian Royal Commission on the motion picture industry, and the report that had been presented had been adopted by the Commonwealth Government. However, many of the recommendationj were ultra vires, and would require the consent of the various State Governments before Legislative action could be taken. Proceeding, Mr Marks said that he was on his way to London, where he would confer with Mr L. S. Amery (Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs). He intends to investigate thoroughly the film industry in Great Britain, and would advise British producers on the enormous field that there

was for British films in Australia and New Zealand.

Finally, Mr Marks will proceed to th© United States to meet film producers there and investigate the industry from every angle. Mr Marks is accompanied on the trip by his wife and daughter.