PICTURE SHOWS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 22, 21 October 1919, Page 8

PICTURE SHOWS

1 Sir,—A correspondent in Saturday's issue, signing himself "Lest Ye Foreet." refers to the conference of independent picture exhibitors at the Town Hall. I believe he is actuated by thp best of motives, but his TcmarVs are not in accordance with facts. Thp independent exhibitors arp not resnonsible for the increase in prices, and if "Lest Ye Forgpt" will refer to the lett"rs which appeared in Wellington papers recently, re doubling admission prices for Chaplin pictures, lie will find that this was done at theatres which belong to what is known as "The Combine," and who aro not. eligible to join the association. It is true that there has been an increase in ordinary prices from sixpence to nineppnee, but \v l, o for" 1 "! tbn Cev. tainly, not t.hr- independent houses, who do not doi'Me their prices for special pictures. There is more danger o f infection in a theatre at night than (hero is in daytime, a statement which admits of no argument, and I could snow "Lest Ye Forget" r'"ht under with columns of medical testimony. There are many peoj)le who have reached the allotted span md are- unable to eo out at night, In whnm the ntiddar pictures were a boon; there were tired mothers a"d weary children from tV country. walking your streets, to whom the morning and earlv afternoon pictures were more than a blessing, and vet they are vet allowed to go—they p.jn go at night. children can V Kent out of bed. and, this is donfi ir. the infprpsts of public health, .1" absurd contrition on th» faee of ; t. There are a feiv ex'n'biters t<in' independents) who favour t'>« re°tpeteil bour=, and prat" nbwt publi" lio->lCi— the '■■amp sort of oxhiliiters "-ho belipve in monopolies, but what do they car? or what hav? th<"v ever eared for llie nuV lie? Lonr.er limits mean a second oneralor and more doorkeepers and musicians, hpnee lac objection. Wh">i I h^ r . of any onrnornt : r>>i or pnmWnp talking alrwt ''s for th« public. I generally inoni"« who and w'Mit a v e its employees, and bow are thev ireiM. because, as you l-"nw, chnrHv V.cins at home—,x corporation or pombi"" has to •■o'ly |o kick nor son! to damn—l am. etc., L. W. FOWTT'} Acti'ig-Soprelary. I ndepedent F.xli'bilors and Theatre Association. Hastings, October 20, 1010.