FILM INDUSTRY

Southland Times, Issue 22187, 1 December 1933, Page 8

FILM INDUSTRY

ADMISSION CHARGES FULL INQUIRY URGED COMMITTEE’S REPORT (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, November 30. A full inquiry into the film industry was recommended by the Industries and Commerce Committee in a report presented to the House of Representatives this afternoon. In reporting on behalf of the committee Mr A. D. McLeod said that the committee was of the opinion that an exhaustive inquiry should be held into the film industry at the earliest possible date. It was impossible for the committee to carry out the investigation this session. Meantime, the committee recommended that the Hire of Films Bill should not be allowed to proceed this session. Mr McLeod said there was no desire on the part of the committee to block the Bill. The Bill was introduced by Mr J. A. Lee, who stated that at the present time film producers were insisting that theatre proprietors should charge a minimum admission of one shilling Films which were exhibited in London for fourpence admission were shown in the Dominion for one shilling and it was contrary to public interest, especially as many theatre proprietors wished to reduce prices in keeping with the economic situation. Mr P. Fraser said there had been a statement that film magnates were going into the small towns and threatening the small theatre owners that unless they handed over a percentage of the profits they would be put out of business by competition. Such conduct savoured of racketeering. A regulation had been designed to prevent this, but it had been declared ultra vires. It was time a full inquiry was held into the whole film industry.

Members generally supported the committee’s finding, but no indication of the Government’s attitude came from the Ministerial benches.