TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1921, Page 1

TELEGRAMS

I IIY TEf.r.GKAIMI —l’lUl IMIKSS ASSOCIATION 1 PICTCR-E SHOWS. WELLINGTON, August 12. At a conference of various branches of the motion picture industry in New Zealand, at which there was a Lie muster of delegates from all parts of the Dominion, representing exhibitors. I theatre-owners, film exchanges am j producing companies, it was resolved fo oppose taking any steps to compel exhibitors to show a minimum or maximum percentage of film produc- . tions of any one country, on tic j ground that such restriction destroy-.-the freedom of every exhibitor in supplying the public with the classes of goods tliev demand. Delegates stated that so far the public reception of British films was most disappointing. The eonferenee also decided to oppose any imposition of duty on films on the grounds that already the industry was unduly burdened with I' amusement tax, and the industry in its present condition was unable to bear further taxation. Tt was stated that further film east, would mean the it tinction of fnany small exhibitors, as j the difficulties of passing on the tax i to the public were greater than in j other industries. Both the licensing | and the tax proposals were palpably 1 in the interests of certain film import- ! ers and represented class taxation lev- ! elled at the amusements of the masses. i INFLUENZA AT TONGA, j AUCKLAND, Aug. 15. j When the Tofua left Tonga there had been KM) eases of influenza and two deaths among the natives. I ATTEMPTED MURDER AT SAMOA. AUCKLAND, Aug. 15. The Tofua brought from Samao six Chinese to undergo imprisonment, four for life, and two for seven years for the attempted murder of a Chinese interpreter, who was frightfully hacked j and marred for life. Tie lost ono eye. ’ Dr Ah bo. Chinese Consul, at Apia, j was charged similarly, but was ncj quitted on the grounds the the evidence was all hearsay. Apparently, whoever induced the coolies to commit tho crime had used the consul’s name. The Court considered Dr Ah bo had acted unwisely in withholding information from tho authorities. RAILWAYMAN KILLED. AUCKLAND, Aug. 15. A railway shunter named Samuel Knight, a married man, aged 29, was killed instantly at Otnhuhn this afternoon. TTe was marshalling a train, and slopped hack to signal the enginedriver, stepping directly in front of ii incoming train.