SHOWMEN'S INFLUENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 222, 19 September 1928, Page 15

SHOWMEN'S INFLUENCE.

A BILL TRANSFORMED. ALL STING REMOVED. WELLINGTON, this day. "The picture showmen know their business, and they knew it was election year, so they put the pressure on the Government to secure sweeping alterations in the Cinematograph Films Bill," stated Mr. Howard in the House of Representatives to-night. " The moment the power of the screen for political propaganda purposes was mentioned before the select committee the- bill was affected, and it was sent back a mere skeleton, so that it couldn't even rattle." Mr. Coaies: All! But who faced them with it? The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Holland): This is interesting. May we have the whole story? Mr. Howard: I don't want to liide anything. There was Mr. Henry Hayward, one of the big showmen in New Zealand, and he used that phrase, and from that moment the bill was sacrificed. A United Member: What phrase? Mr. Howard: To use the screen for propaganda purposes. If anyone wants to see what a difference that made to the bill he has only to compare the bill as itQcame out of committee with the bill that went in. When it went, in it contained proposals which would bring in revenue to the extent of f40,000. It went in with a £40,00?* tag, but it came out with a £7000 or £SQOO tag. It came out of committee a baldheaded bill with every sting taken out of it. jCare was taken to see that the £40,000 sting was taken out. Mr. Samuel: Do you want to pass the £40,000 on to the public! Mr. Howard: No, I don't; but I don't see why the film business should be singled out in this way to provide more revenue. It would be just as right to place five per cent on motor car importers. Mr. Coates: I will accept that; it's money we want. Mr. Howard wound up by saying he did not see why any particular industry should be punished.