THE FILM INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 27

THE FILM INDUSTRY.

THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS. WELLINGTON, August 3. In its proposals for the- exhibition of a definite quota of New Zealand and British films in the moving picture theatres of the Dominion and for the imposition of a • film hire tax, the Kinematograph Films Bill, which was read a first time in the House of Representatives today, is the same as that introduced last year. The new measure, however, is a much more comprehensive one than its predecessor, for it seeks to incorporate in one Statute all the laws affecting the industry, notably the Censorship Act of 1916 and those parts of the Dangerous Goods and Explosives Act relating to the storage and transportation of films.

Provision is also made in the Bill for the setting up of an advisory committee with representatives of the commercial interests affected to assist the Government in the administration of the measure. It is the intention of the Government to refer the Bill to a special select committee to enable representations to be made from those affected by the proposals. Under last year’s Bill the duty of register ing films was imposed, at least nominally on the Minister of Internal Affairs, but it is now proposed to appoint an officer in the public service to act as registrar. It is held that this appointment will not in volve any considerable increase in the cost of administration, since it is contemplated that the office of registrar will be held in conjunction with that of censor or other appropriate office in the public service.

The advisory committee which, is proposed in the new Bill ia to consist of not more than two -representatives- of the licensed renters, with an. equal number of representatives- of licensed exhibitors, together with not more than three other persons 'who are not to have any’ pecu--1 niary interest in the industry.. The Prime Minister, in announcing the terms of the Bill in the House,, intimated that it was intended; that a Government representative would be chairman of the board, and he hinted that in committee amendments might be introduced giving greater responsibility to the board. As the Bill now stands, the functions of the committee proposed are purely advisory. The quota schedules in the Bill provide that in 1929 the renters shall provide 74 per. cent, of New Zealand or British films, 10 per cent, in 1930 and 1931, 124 per cent, in 1932, 15 per cent, in 1933, 174' per cent, in 1934 and 1935, and thereafter 20 per cent, until 1940. The exhibitors’ quota provides for the screening of 5 per cent, of British' or New Zealand films in 1930; 7J per cent, for 1931 and 1932, 10 per cent, in 1933, 124 per cent, in 1934, 15 per cent, in 1935 and' _1936, and thereafter 20_ per cent, until '1941. In respect of the tenters, the quota year is. to end on. December 31,. while that for the exhibitors is to end on. September 30. The film, hire tax, which is recoverable by the Commissioner of Taxes, is: to be 5 per cent, of the gross receipts in. respect of the renting of New Zealand films, 7J per cent, for British films, and 12J. per cent, for foreign film?