FILM PROPAGANDA.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1927, Page 1

FILM PROPAGANDA.

BRITAIN NOAV AWAKENED. AUCKLAND, Sept. 26. The man who in the early stages of the European war convinced the British Government of the value of film propaganda, and who later had some thrilling experiences on the first seaplane flight from England to- India. arrived by the Niagara this morning in the course oi -a motorcycle tour round the world. He is Captain Geoffrey Abilins. 0.8-K., R.8.G.5.. and he is accompanied by Captain -C. B. Oliver, export in the management of rigid airships. “The objects of our journey.” Captain Malins said, “are to demonstrate tho reliabilty of our all-British outfit, to make a record oi our travels and to report to the British Board of Trade on the condition of tho film industry in various parts of the world, especially in the diflcroni countries oi the Brit-sh Empire. The last-named is our main purpose, and in connection with it we have made some interesting discoveries."

After leaving England in November last the travellers passed through several countries on flic Continent of Europe. They visited Egypt, crossed tho Sinai and Syrian "Deserts and came down through India and Java and intervening countries to Australia. I hoy will finally cycle across the United States and return thence to England. Captain Abilins holds strong views concerning the power ol film propaganda. “At the present time,” he said. “America through her control <ii the screens of the world, wields such .a power as to endanger the unity and progress of the British Empire.” He found it difficult to believe, he said, that the conditions depicted b.v the majority of films shewn in most parts of the world were actually true to.real life. In America these films are accepted as representing the true standard of living in the countries of white peoples. Admittedly the British Empire had been dozing, but she had now awakened. This year in the British Parliament a quota Bill was being enacted, (and also a measure to make “blind booking” of films illegal. A further interesting development was that India and Alalava wore introducing a quota system, by -which it would lie compulsory for a- fixed percentage of British films to he shown.

“ifn the ‘Empire to-day,” added Captain Abilins, “we have technical skill, authors, artists and resources to produce films worthy of carrying the British name throughout the world.” Jle added that immediately on his return to England his special report would he presented to the British Board of Trade, and lie felt confident that tho Government would not rest until it had done everything possible to raise the prestige of the film industry throughout the Empire.

Captain Olliver was a member of the crew of the Brilisli airship R 33, which was blown from its mooring over Holland, but returned safely to England. He is studying the air route of the world, and will ho one ol the navigators of Empire airships wftoii the rot:to from England is open-

AUSTRALIAN FILMS. RR-OORTOSS OF THK INDUSTRY. AUCKLAND, Sepi.. 20. “When you know Unit with a population of 0,000,000 Australia has 150,000.000 poo pit' going to tho moving pictures ovoiy year you van realise that those in charge of the industry have a tremendous responsibility," said Mr Victor Wilson to-day. Head of the Motion Picture Distributors’ Association, and known among bis familiars as “The Movie Czar” of Australia, he arrived by the Niagara this morning on a visit. TTo pointed out that tho Australian figures of picture theatre attendance showed what a great influence for good or evil tho “movies” must have, and the organisation of which he was the head aimed at the improvement generally of the picture industry, recognising that it was vitally responsible to the community, in view ol the pictures’ far-reaching effect. His organisation was making pictures and making progress. Of course everybody had to> learn. There were many technical difficulties in the business, and for somo of the 'big pictures his firm had produced it had been found advisable to get some of the principals from the United States, with whom ideas could he exchanged. So far tht association’s supreme effort to film Australian history had been “For the Term of his Natural Life,” which was the biggest thing attempted in this part of the world, the cost running into anything >etweeeii £40.000 and £ 150,000. Sir Victor Wilson is making his first visit to New Zealand. Ho says he has not come over to look for something to film. He has simply come, to spy out the land and get an idea of the country.