TAX FOREIGN FILMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16539, 24 September 1921, Page 9

TAX FOREIGN FILMS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The proposal to impose a tax on foreign films, particularly American, should meet with approval throughout New Zealand, which, like other parts of the British Empire„ is waking up to the fact that American sentiment and propaganda, as perpetuated through the pictures, are far from educational, elevating or desirable. In addition, the average British citizen ip beginning to wonder why so much British money should be going to America, seeing that our Empire is by war necessity so financially indebted to the U.S.A.’s producers of American pictures invaded the Empire when British producing studios were closed, and it is amusing 1 o observe how indignant American film interests ar© now because British people are out to help British interests to recapture their own markets. Apart from the national necessity of British industry preponderance within the Empire, picturegoers and the public generally recognise the need for cleaner and better pictures in these times of advanced education. I notice other parts of the Empire have given a lead in the taxing of foreign films. American pictures have been sent here free of tax, and yet the raw film has been taxed. This means that the producer o any picture mado in New Zealand contributes heavily to the revenue of this Dominion while the completer films produced by Americans and seen here daily escape all tax—except tho amusement tax, which the public pava. The Government now in session should have no hesitation in placing a surtax—and one that will make some reparation for revenue so far lost—upon all foreign pictures. The big foreign film companies should pay the tax. It should not be an extra burden upon showmen or the public. I firmly believe that the good British pictures now about to bo shown in New Zealand u ill eventually displace tho American nroduct and enable the censorship at present in operation to be dispensed Avith. That the Press of New Zealand will do all possible to promote the best interests of good British pictures, which are to he heavily taxed in America under the heading of • foreign" films, will bo the earnest ■wish of all who pride themselves as being British subjects. Those who cannot give financial support are not being asked too much when one suggests at least their moral or spoken support. *—l am, etc., UNION JACK.