FILMS BILL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 26 November 1927, Page 6

FILMS BILL

INTRODUCED IN HOUSE. THE PREMIER’S STATEMENT. BRITISH QUOTA. Wellington, November 25. In the House of Representatives to-day the Prime Minister introduced the Cinematograph Film Bill, which he stated generally followed the lines of the bill now under consideration by the Parliament of Grtat Britain. He explained that the bill provided for the following matters Section 3 provides for the prohibition of agreements to exhibit a film more than twelve months after the date of the agreement. Secion 5 provides that the exhibitor is to have the right to reject five per cent, of the films booked bv him before they have been exhibited in New Zealand. This clause is in substitution for the British nrovr 1 that no agreement to ren a film shall be valid until the film is actually in the country. This provision is not considered feasible in New Zealand. The registration of films is provided for in section 6. of renters in section 16 an of exhibitors in section 22. The registration of films is: (1) New Zealand films, (2) British films, (3) foreign films. The quota of British or New Zealand films to be acquired by rentors, commencing on January 1, 1929. at 7 J per cent., rising yearly to 20 per cent, in 1936. and remaining at the same percentage for the four succeeding years, is provided for in clause 16. Then follows an exhibitors quota, commencing on July 1, 1929. at 5 per cent.. and rising vearly to 20 per cent, in 1937, remaining at the same percentage for four succeeding years, provided for in clause 23. This quota applies only to feature films, but other .specified films may be included with the permission p.f the Minister. The provisions of the bill are kept nine months behind the proposed provisions of the British bill in order to allow time for the arrival of films in New Zealand. A new provision not contained in the British bill is inserted, providing for a tax on the gross returns from the renting of films as follows New Zealand films. 5 per cent.; British films, 7) per cent..; foreign films. 121 per cent. This tax will take effect in the year 1929. and the total amount of tax. combined with the existing Customs tariff, will be less than the amount that would have been obtained under the 3d tariff under the proposed duty. This Is estimated to yield from £3Q,000 to £40.000 annually. , The hill is introduced this year in order to allow time for consideration by all concerned. It will not be passed this year.