FILM TAX

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1930, Page 8

FILM TAX

THE GOVERiNAIENT and RENTERS.

NO LEGISLATION PROPOSED

AVIBLLINGTON, Oct. 20.

The position between the Government and the film renters is not regarded as being as serious as it was some time ago, according to a statement made by the Acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, when the Finance Bill was introduced in the House late to-night.

The question was raised by the Leader of the Opposition, , tho Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, who, seeking some information upon the point which lie said it could be presumed was contained in the Bill, asked i'S the Government had taken any step<s to overcome the deadlock reached as a result of the attitude of the exhibitors and renters toward the recently-imposed film hire tax. , Mr Ransom said lie was not in a oosition to make a .statement upon the question at the moment, but a Gazette notice dealing with the point ■it issue would be published shortly. He had not regarded it as necessary to make any provision in the Bill to meet" the situation, which was not 'ooked upon as being as serious as it ,vas some time ago. The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr H. E. Holland, said/the attitude of the film interests was nothing more or less than- a strike to defeat the legislation of Mir- Dominion and he 'ook it tlie Government would not allow any profiling concern to dictate to it. Government members: Hear, hear. “I hope the Acting-Prime Minister will stand by the attitude he lias taken up,” Air Holland added, amid i chorus of approval from all sides of the House