FILM INDUSTRY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19661, 1 December 1933, Page 8

FILM INDUSTRY

EXHAUSTIVE INQUIRY URGED AMERICAN DOMINATION ALLEGED By Telegraph— Pres* Association WELLINGTON. November 30. Reporting on the Hire of Films Bill (Mr J. A. Lee) The Industries and Commerce Committee of the House expressed the opinion that an exhaustive inquiry into the film industry in all Its bearings should be undertaken at the earliest possible date. The committee pointed out that in view of the amount of evidence offering and the limited time at the committee's disposal, it was impossible to undertake this inquiry’ during the present session. It therefore recommended that the Inquiry should be made by the Government and that pending such inquiry the Films Bill should be not allowed to proceed this session.

The Hon. A. D. McLeod, in presenting the report, said that the committee desired to explain that it had no wish to block the Bill, but the expense that would be incurred in bringing to Wellington the large number of witnesses who desired to be heard would not be warranted in face of the impossibility of the committee hearing the evidence in the time at its disposal this session. “Held to Ransom.” Mr Lee thanked the committee for its recommendation which, he said, was a sound one. Evidently the committee was alive to the situation which existed, and he trusted that the Government would take the matter up seriously. He pointed out that films which could be witnessed in the United States for 10 cents and In London for 4d, could only be exhibited in New Zealand if a minimum admission charge of 1/- was Imposed notwithstanding the fact that the theatre proprietors themselves desired to fix a charge that was more in keeping with the existing economic conditions. He contended that the American Corporation was holding the people of New Zealand to ransom. "Savour* of Racketeering." Mr P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central), said that the inquiry should go further than a mere inquiry into the hire of films and domination by an overseas corporation It was not right that wealthy combines in New Zealand should be allowed to go into a small town and tell the owner of a small theatre that unless he handed over a percentage of his profits they would go into competition with him and turn him out of business. Such a practice savoured of racketeering and should not be tolerated. He agreed that there was not time to take evidence this session, but it should be taken during the recess. Mr A. Harris <C., Waitemata) pointing out that the committee had recommended an exhaustive inquiry' into the film Industry In all Its bearings, said that its decision had been a unanimous one. Mr F. Langstone, the Rev. Clyde Carr and Mr A. J. Stallworthy also expressed their appreciation of the committee’s recommendation, which was then adopted by the House.