NO NEW CINEMA TAX.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17223, 5 October 1927, Page 6

NO NEW CINEMA TAX.

The Government has heeded the.protests against the proposed high increase of duties on cinema films. The tariff schedule introduced to Parliament last month provided for a trebling of the rate on foreign film from Id to 3d per foot, but it has now been decided to leave the rate as before. It was pointed out in this paper and elsewhere that the higher duty meant nothing more than an ex Ira tax on cinema patrons; it could not benefit the. British him industry to any oxtent, as suitable films from the mother country were not available. While it was felt that the Government should take measures to god rid of the large amount of American propaganda displayed at present, I hose concerned in the industry pointed out that the higher tariff would have little effect in that direction. If the Government wishes io tax picture-goers, it should do so directly and not under the guise of patriotism. The late Mr. Massey removed the entertainments tax on the lower-priced tickets of .admission, holding that the amusements of the poor should not be made a large source of Government revenue. The Coates Government, abandoning its proposal for a higher duty on films, seems to have acted on the same principle. A disappointing feature of the discussion has been the complete overlooking of the need for better films for young people. All pictures suitable for education or for special children's entertainments ought certainly to be admitted free of duty, and, if our Government were as wideawake as that of Prance, for instance, it would take active steps to make such pictures available to the young through the schools and otherwise.