MOVIES AND TALKIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 225, 23 September 1929, Page 9

MOVIES AND TALKIES.

FRESH REGULATIONS.

QUOTA OF BRITISH FILMS. LAW OPERATES NEXT MONTH. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Government, keeping in line with the development of the talkie picture business, submitted to the GovernorGeneral in Council this morning some new regulations to govern films, and His Excellency signified approval. i As from October next film exhibitors are required to screen a quota of British fiims, and the proposed regulations contain machinery provisions necessary to give effect to the quota. Provisions regulating, in the interests of public safety, the storage, transport and projection of film, are also to be dealt with.

It is stated that the regulations are generally similar to, and that they replace, tho regulations previously in force under the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Amendment Act, 1920, which cease to have effect with regard to cinematograph film on September 30. Licensing of Showmen. The principal alterations are in connection with the licensing of the travelling picture showman. They may now take out a license covering a number of halls, instead of licensing each separately as under tho old regulations. License fees have also been altered so that the major city theatres pay a larger amount, while the license fees for small country theatres have been reduced. Special provision is made for the licensing of portable projection machines using a noninflammable type of film. This will not be pubject to the same restrictions as in tho case of ordinary film, which is a nitro-cellulose product, and can only be used under safeguards. In connection with the inspection of theatres, provision is made for the inspection of electrical apparatus and equipment by inspectors of electrical wiring, appointed under the Electrical Wiremen's Registration Act. It is stated that regulations have been considered and approved by tho advisory committed appointed under the Act. which consisted of representatives of both tho renting and the exhibiting sections of the industry, under the chairmanship of Mr. E. Page, S.M. British Films Available.

Referring to-day to the new regulations the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. P. A. de Iα Perrelle, stated that some doubt recently had been expressed as to whether a sufficient eupply of British talking films would be produced to enable the "exhibitors to comply witU the Act. He had explained to the House of Representatives, during the discussion on the Departmental Estimates, last week, that he had recently gone into the matter with the British trade representatives, and had been assured that the development of talking pictures was proceeding apace in Britain, and it was anticipated that considerably more British iftm, both talking aud silent, than was required by the Act would be available during the coming year. He had been informed that the first of the British talking pictures released in London pomo time ago had proved an outstanding Buccoss, and tho prospects of tho British film industry appeared very bright.