EMPIRE FILM TRADE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18888, 31 December 1926, Page 12

EMPIRE FILM TRADE.

SCHEME FOR DISTRIBUTION CENTRAL MARKETING ORGANISATION. (fbom oto ow* coRHESPoKDEjrr.) LONDON, November 16. Tie Economic Sub-Committc« of the Imperial Conference lias set up a special section to deal with the problem of Empire films. Sir James Parr is a member of this section. The uub-committee is endeavouring to find an answer to two questions: 1. In what way can the production and exhibition of Empire films be increased? 2. How can the exchange of films of Empire origin best be promoted between dificrcnt parts of the Empire? Proposal for the establishment of a central organisation for the distribution of British films in the Dominions have been forwarded by the Federation of British Industries to the Board of Trade for submission to the Imperial Conference. The Federation is convinced that in order to oblain the maximum advantage from these markets the introduction of some form of protective legislation in the various overseas Dominions is CEsential, but the effects of such legislation will be much enhanced if it is accompanied by some fonn of centralised distribution of British pictures. Such an arrangement would be advantageous in any event, but without legislative protection its advantages cannot be anything like fully realised. Nor must it be thought that oven in the most favourable circumstances i the British Empire market will be at all, equivalent to the home market of the United States of America, since the number of thcatree in the British Empire is at present only about 7000, as against 17,000 in the United States, while the seating accommodation of these theatres and the comparative wealth of the audiences in the Empire are substantially below what prevails in tho United States. . . , If all suitable British Empire pic""* 3 were marketed through one organisation this organisation would be able to offer to e exhibitors in the overseas Dominions a list which would enable them to rely upon a supply of British pictures sufficient to fill a substantial, and, it is hoped, an increasing part of their programmes. This would en able the exhibitors to pay better P nc "', would put them in a to deal on more favourable terms with the American houses, who at present can practically compel them to fill, their programme* with American productions.

A Limited Company. In tho opinion of the Federation the "tablishraent of a central organißation would be "ative.y simple if ir^iSe^e^-r-r^ sharing the gross takings equally between t he producer and tho organisation, and advancing he former such sum in respect of hi."here as might be agreed between the parties in each instance. , The expenses to be set against the renter's share are well Understood in the trade and the procedure U a normal ono in tho Home market. If he company were in a position to offer sums lighten advance of tho very small amour, which are at present received for-Brit«h pictures in the Dominion markets, they would very easily obtain control of all tho Brit'sn pictures which they required, and conldthen offer these to the theatres or local renters in the Dominions, as the circumstances of each territory mado most convenient. Moreover, by being able to offer the picture* ma sequent, the company would be able to ohtain very much better results, and in tins way would be in a position gradually to imp\ovo the terms offered to the producew thus helping them to meet their negaUv. cost, and relieving their financial position gencr It: This would tend substantially to - crease the number of British pictures v.l, ch could be made by the producing oompam.s concerned in the course of each year.

Protective Legislation. Tho F. 8.1, ostimate that it would require „ capital of about £200,000 to establish a company on a sufficient scale to handle a prXtion of, say, 40 feature *«.»»« first vear and 60 in the second. *lhis capiUl would enable the company to set up agendas in territories the cond ions of which iustify sucli expenditure. It v-ould ne au •antageous if Dominions' interests could paricipato in the scheme financial y and otherwise. It will, however, be extremely difficult to obtain the money through ordinary channels unless protective legislation is introduced for the home market, and tho leading. Dominion markets and the industry thus put upon a stable basis. If, however such legSon is introduced the Federation believe ,athe money would be readily fortheoming, and the scheme could be put into operation immediately with great advantage to all concerned.

Reciprocal Arrangements. Meanwhile, ilio Federation is willing to make reciprocal arrangements on the following lines with any Dominion m which an adequate local organisation can be set up.— fl) If in any Dominion there is establisuea '"company for distributing Br tish Empire pictures with resources financially and otherwise reasonably sufficient to enable the company to secure effective distribution in the Dominion, the F. 8.1. Film Group will be prepared to recommend its members to give preferential rights to the said company to deal with pictures produced by them on tne following basis: (a) Division of the gross receipts between the two parties at a fixed uniform Percentage. (b) The payment to the British producer of a sum in advance of his share in the gross receipts, the amount of this advance to be negotiated in each case between the parties according to the value of the picture. (c) The Federation's Film Group to have a nominee on the Board of the Dominion Company. _.. „ ... (2) The Federation's Film Group will undertake to arrango for the distribution in Great Britain, or, if preferred, in the whole of Europe, of Dominion pictures offered to them through the Dominion company; the terms of distribution to be similar to'those set out above for the distribution of British Empire pictures in the' Dominion. (3) The Federation's Film Group will be prepared to co-operste with the Dominion company in the making of joint films in the Dominion and/or Great Britain. The above suggestions are dependent on the co-operation of other interests. In default of Birch co-operation the Fedoration Group is considering the desirability of sending out representatives to the different Dominion markets to market the pictures rf members of the Group on a co-operative basis.

DAIRY PRODUCE. (PRIEBS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December 30. The New Zealand Dairy Produce Board have received the following cable from the London office of the Board, dated December 24th:— Butter. —New Zealand finest 1745, first grade 1725, unsalted 182s. Tho market is iirm with an upward tendency. There is little demand in the meantime for stored butter. Australian 164s to 170s, Canadian 164s to 1655; Argentine 154s to 160s, Dutch 180s to 184s, Danish 173s to 182s. Retail prices ore unchanged. A good demand is anticipated after Christmas. In France the market is unchanged. Cheese.—New Zealand white and coloured finest 965, first grade 955; Canadian white and coloured 94s to 965, exceptional 98s. The market is quiet, and there is little demand at the moment. Retail prices are unchanged The Board has since received a cable from London dated December 28th, stating that cheese prices have been reduced by 2r. The Board has also received the following cable advice from its agents in Canada:— Butter: Vancouver 44 cents (Is lOd), •Frisco 50 cents (2s Id); New York 52 cents (2s 2d); Montreal 40 cents (Is 8d).

The Xow Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. have received the following advice from their London office:—Butter: New Zealand ch.*,v?st, 172s to 1745; stored 1665. The market is firm. Cheese: The market is quiet at '2s lower.

METALS. (BY CABLE— PBESS ASSOCIATIOK— COPSP.IGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE JSSOCtATIOS.) (Received December 30th, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON.. December 29. Copper—Standard, 6pot £56 lis 3d, forward £37 8s 9d per ton. Lead—Spot £2S 17s ed, forward £29 Is 3d per ton. Spelter—Spot £32 15s, forward £32 13a 9d per ton. Tin—Spot £297 17s 6d, forward £294 10s per ton. Silver—Standard Hid, fine 26 13-16 d per