THE FILMS BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1928, Page 4

THE FILMS BILL

THE NEW MEASURE. WELLINGTON, August 3. The Cinematograph Films Bill, which was introduced by the Government last session to give ample warning of the proposal that a minimum percentage of British films must he shown in New Zealand programmes, was brought in by Governor-General’s message in the House of Representatives to-day. It is substantially in the form of last year’s measure, except for afn important change in the method of collecting income tax from renters. All the law relating to films is brought into one Bill, and power is given to make regulations similar to those under the Dangerous Goods Act for the safe storage of films and securing the safety of the public at places of exhibition. The Bill, if passed, conies into force on January 1 next, when the Registrar of Films will commence operations. All films must then he registered, indicating their origin and length. Hie Bill also provieds that both renters of films and exhibitors must he registered and submit returns of films handled and exhibited, so that a check can be made of the quota provisions of the statute. If a renter fails to acquire in any year the proportion of British film indicated in the schedule he is liable to a fine of £IOO unless he can prove to the court that the reasons for non-compliance were beyond his control. Special provision is, however, niado that renters conducting a small business may combine to meet the quota requirements.

The proportion of British films required for the year ending December, 1929, is 7.1 per cent, in the two fol-

flowing years the proportion is to b< 10 per cent, in 1932 121 per cent, ir 1933 15 per cent, in the'two following years 174 P er cent, and from the end of 1935 the annual proportion of British films handled must be 20 per cent. It is intended to exclude from quota calculations films depicting wholly or mainly news and current events, natural scenery films, wholly or -mainly commercial advertisements, films used wholly or mainly by educational institutions for educational purposes, or depicting wholly or mainly industrial or manufacturing processes, scientific films, including natural history films, British fiilm's including natural history films, British films of which the date of release in the country of origin is more than two years prior to the date of registration in New Zealand. The term British film includes New Zealand. ‘ A statutory obligation is imposed on film renters to furnis exhibitors with information which will enable them to comply with the quota provisions. It is also provided that if the Minister is satisfied that in any year com-

pliance with the Act was not commercially practicable by reason of the character of New Zealand or British films available, or the excessive cost of such films in relation to foreign films, he may modify those requirements" to such an extent as he thinks reasonable. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

The Minister of Internal Affairs may appoint an advisory committee to advise him on matters of the administration of the Act, comprising two representatives from licensed renters and two from licensed exhibitors, with not more than three others having no pecuniary interest in any branch of the film industry, one of whom shall Be chairman.

There are clauses restricting contracts for advance bookings to twelve months, and enabling exhibitors who have made “ blind bookings ” contracts to have the right to reject up to 5 per cent of the number of long films submitted under contract. INCOME TAX COLLECTION.

As difficulties have arisen in assess-ing-the taxable incomes of renting companies the Bill makes a drastic change in the present law. It proposes to relieve licensed renters from ordinary income tax, and imposes in its place a film hire tax as follows:—New Zealand films 5 per cent of gross receipts derived from renting in each year; British films 74 per cent on the same basis; foreign films 12J per cent of the gross renting receipts.