NATIONAL FILM BOARD

Chronicle (Levin), 21 May 1948, Page 5

NATIONAL FILM BOARD

Press Assoeiation 1 ,

Institute's Recommendation To Inquiry

(Per

WELLINGTON, May 20. The establishment of a National Film Board -which would be policy-m^king ou all questions of ' iilin production -eon-. trolled by the Government, was recoin-^ mended by the New Zealand Pilm" Institute in evidence submitted to the Parliamentary . Committee inquiring into the motion picture industry. , .Jhe Lustitute also eonsidered that the censor's recommend ations shoul'd be enforced by law and if, "for instance, a censor reeommended a film as suitahle for adult audienees only, this shonld be ecmplied with. s. ' The institute suggested that the proposed Nationa'l Film Board should have 011 it a producer of the national film unit, one representative each from the Education Department, Treasury, Prime Minister 's Department, National 'Council for Adult Education and Film Institute, as well as two members of the general public. Mr. P. C. P. MeGavin appeared as counsel for the institute and evidence 011 its behalf was given by Mr. Hilton t'ower. He statefi that the institute was a central eo-ordinating bodv representiug 25 lilm societies of New Zealand, 19 of which were afliliated to it. These societies" were nou-prolitmaking .and consisted of members now some 1 300(1 iu number, who were interested in the social, cultural and edueational aspects of the cinma and wliose aim was to ensure that the best films produced any where were seen in New Zealand. The need for more iihns snitable forchildren being available, was stressed by Mr. Walter James Seott, lecturgr in English at the Teachers' Training College. Many of the films, he said, were quite unsuitable. Mr. F. O. Spratt, representing Kerridge-Odeon, said Mr. J. Arthur Rank had people niaking a special study of this qnestion. No fewer than 60 filius specially written and prepared for children 's clubs, were at present in New Zealand. Ex-Serviceman's Complaint ' Giving evidence in his personal capacity, XI r. Arthur Kingsley Bell, war pensioner, of Wellington, said in 1938 lie applied for an e.xhibitor's licence with a view to establishing a picture theatre at kriraniar junction but his applieation was declined. He was forced to the opiuion that this was done because the gentlemen who then had control of the industry, had the delermining vote. He assumed his licence was refused because it was eonsidered there were suflieient theatres in„ tlie district at tlie time. An applicant had not tlie right of personal appearance before the board. Mr. Bell made a statement that the Kerridge concern had . disposed of 70 theatre licenees to outside interests without a thought to returned men. During the war picture theatres had "waxed fat" on xuoney,v§pent by servicemen. Mr. R. Hardie Boys (for tlie Grown: Our inforniation is tliat the Kerridge concern sold out half the interest 111 their conipany to Odeon. . Witness replied that in his opinion there was 110 uifl'eroiivp between selling out 7 « ) licenees and selling out a halfinterest in 149. Odeon, he said, was Mr. Rank, tlie British picture niagnate. Btate control was one alternative, and lie thought i,t would be better than a monopoly. Ylr. Boys: You nmiutain that au efTective interest in pictures in this countrv should be in the hands of Xew Zealand nationals. — I do7 . Alr. W. II. Fortune (a member of the committee), referring to tlie "waxed fat " expression used by witness, said that cgrtain independent theatres ha.l given free shovvs to troops and Amaigamated Theatres had offered to ins'tall a machine 111 a caiup.. He thought witness had been a bit extravagant in hi.s statement. Ques^ion of Licensing Justification for the continuation of licensnig in tlie motion picture industry was to be found in the general economic situation, the peculiar eireumstanees of the industry, and persons ulready established in the industry, said the former Chief Inspector of Films, Mr. R. Girling Butclier. He was replying to questions by Alr. F. C. Spratt, representing Kerridge-Odeon, Ltd. Licensing had been consistent with "lie public interest and resulted in a .'tability in the industry which was m tlie interests of renters and exhibitors, said Alr. Girling Butclier. It had resulted in a reasonable profit-margin and permitted the provision of satisfactory amenities for the public vVithout aii increase in the cost of admission. The system of theatre licensing .was one of the dominant features in the sct-up of the industry. Replying to Alr. E. L. Bartlett, counsel for Amalgamated Theatres, witness said the industry was a verv speculativo one and large Sums had beenfiost — and also made. The risk of lire in theatres" was remote except from outside sources. During the war tests were carried out to find the time takou to emptv theatres and he agreed that, three and a-half minutes would be a fair average time.