MOVE IN "MOVIES"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 18, 16 October 1919, Page 6

MOVE IN "MOVIES"

EXHIBITORS' BID FOR INDEPENDENCE

AN ASSOCIATION FORMED

Convened by the Hastings Borough Council, a conference of independent picture exhibitors was held in the Town Hall last evening to consider matters of concern to the business. Mr. J. Payne, M.P., occupied the chair, and thero were asembled souw thirty representatives of independent theatres (theatres not tied to any one particular firm of film hirers) from Auckland to Dunediii. After a question respecting the right of certain of those present to attend the conference had been settled tho meeting proceeded.

In seti ing forth the objects of the meeting Mr. Payne sakl that several attempts had been made to form an independent association in the past, and in no ease had the result been entirely satisfactory. They would all remember when, on a certain amalgamation being brought about, an attempt was made to squeeze the independent showman, As the result of the accidental discovery of a letter from tliat amalgamation they were advised that "when the screw was really put on they (the independents*, would.know all about it." In connection with the formation of tho association it had been suggested that they should Interview the Prime Minister with a view to getting some relief, but ho was averso to that procedure. He expressed the view that Iho censor had acted fairly to them and to the public, and if they were to go to Mr. Massey. there might be another crop of letters to tho papers, with the possible result that some interfering woman or a parson might be appointed to sit with tho censor, and they all knew what the result of that would be. They were there to show that unity was strength, and they wore going to make it plain , that they would not put up with any crushing impositions from film-hirers. So long as they were able to get filra at reasonable rates they were content, but they were not'going to put up with rates which would not allow them to live.

Mr. P.. G. aiurdoch read several letters of sympathy from all parts of the country, including some from borough councils, which went in for tho exhibition of pictures. He moved "That an association bo , formed, to be called the Independent Motion Film Exhibitors' Association of New Zealnnil."

This was seconded by Mr. T. Fitzgerald.

Mr. Thompson (of Thompson and Payne) raid he did not think they should go any further than-what Mr. Payne had pointed out—that they should form an association. He mentioned the possibility of an amalgamation of the present picture exchanges. If any of them now were asked for 25, 50, or even. 100 per cent, increase they would eimply have to pay it- It would crush their nusiness. for they all kaew very well that they would not bo able to raiso their rates to meet that increase. There were some four exchanges, and it would be a simple matter for them to amalgamate. He said that they must be united. It would not do for one man to pull out owing to the rise, but they (the hiring firms) might think twico if it m«ant all the "independents" pulling nut. Ho pintod out that one film firm had put it very strongly to him the other day. His firm vn\s getting film from two or three exchanges, but this man had eaid that if they wanted his "stuff" they would havo to take the whole of the programme from that firm. Ho spoka of what had been dono in Aue» tralia. South Africa, anct England in fighting the big combines, and what had been done thero could be dono in Now Zealand.

Mr. H. Lethaby advocated tho taking of tho theatre-owners into tho association, in order that if it ramo to a fight the capital that would bo put in by interested theatre-owners would be of great value. It would lilso help to give tiem sufficient capital to import film supplies of, their own.

ilr. S. Green,' speaking for tho Wanganui Borough Council, spoko against the practice of illegitimately reserving seats. His council thought, too, that tho standard of pictures was not r.a high as it .should be. 'His counoil considered that the pictures should bo entertaining, educational, and amusing, and tho children should be bettor catered for; also that the prices should bo within the reach of the public. They wanted an association' which would seo that .the prices charged wero reasonable, and that the pictures wero of a Rood class.

Tho chairman said Hint they were in a small country, but there was no reason why they should not bring about an amalgamation with Australia for importing film if they wero "pushed aguinst the wall." With regard to tho data of pictures, he believed that the place for educational films was the school-room; another point 'was that they could not get such pictures.

Mr. Payno, in answor to Mr. Lethaby,' said that if they had to vloso down as a protest against any increase in rates, he took it that it would i.ot kill any of them to close for a. few weeks, any more than it did when the epidemic was on. He also said that theatre-owners •would etandi by them in their own interest.

Mr. lethaby said that owners might bo prepared to forego half the rents.

There were tliose present who stated that if the hiring nAes < r tro increased they could not keep their theatres open. Mr. Murdoch said that n-hen he had put' that point to tine h'r'm, they had coolly 6aid that such theatres would cease to exist.

Mr. J. Whitelaw suggested that if they were going to fight, it would be imperativo for them to securo n. stock of film as a stand-by so that they would not have to close up at all. That meant a big thing. From what ho had heard the price of film in America was. going up sky-high.

The motion to form an association was carried,, and it was .decided that the name of the association bs tho Independent Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors and Theatre Proprietors. Mr. Fowler moved that the executive consist of two members each from Wellinirton, Auckland, Canterbury, Otago, Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay, and one number each from Wostknd, Wanganui, and Manawatu.

Mr 'A. Coo emphasised the need of care in tho formation of this association. It would have to bo run by good business men in a businese-liko way. The eeoretary would have to be a very exceptional man.

Mr. Fowler mentioned that it would bs fa hid if they allowed the meeting to disperse without getting everyone to sign thnt they would bscome nmmbere of the association, or to any that they were not. The following provisional executive was anpo'nted:—Wellington: Messrs. A. M. Pickford and Q,. L. Johnson; Hawke's Buy: Messrs. P.' G. Murdoch and Thompson: ■\Vn.n(Kinii;: Mr. R. AY. Green; Auckland: Messrs. A. Coo and 6. Alexander; Canterbury: Messrs. C. Yenden and E. Clelnnd; 'Manawntu: Mr. T. F. Fitzgc/'ld. Tho executive, which is to meet this rooming, is to draw up a constitution and a scale of subscriptions.

A molron was also paused favouring the resumption of pre-epidemic horns in tho case of the continuous picture houses.