Theatre Patronage Decreasing.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1921, Page 4

Theatre Patronage Decreasing.

EMPLOYERS EXPLAIN THEIR DIFFICULTIES. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 21 Picture and other theatres are passing through a lean year at present, to judge by the evidence given in the Arbitration Court to-day hv employers oi theatre labour. Ii was stated that the expenditure was increasing, and at tlie same time receipts were going hack. Oscar Anderson, representing the ( % )u<m‘ii*s Theatre, said that the wages claims of the employees would have a great elFoct on the expenses. During the last six months there had been :i serious falling olf in takings, and the expenditure was increasing. The position would lie complicated hv tin* proposed further tax on films and on amusements. The takings were showing a more rapid decrease from mouth to mouth. In expenditure, the tendency was to increase, and his theatre was now economising rigidly. In regard to the proposed increased amusement tax, witness said that the cost of amusements would he absolutely prohibitive to the general public, who would not attend theatres. He considered that llit' theatres might have to pay the tax themselves instead of passing it on to the public. The cost of hiring til ms, witness admitted, had decreased since the making of the lastaward. but. all other expenses had increased. “The takings in vaudeville theatres have dropped considerably dining the last year,” said Walter Helsdon, manager of t.lu! Ojh*ra House. He hail compared his expenses and receipts in the past two years, and found that the expenses had increased enormously, while the takings had fallen off very miieh. IF increased wages were granted as asked for by the union, he would have no other course hut to reduce his staff. His front-of-house expenses would increase AO per cent otherwise.