FILM HOLD-UP

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1930, Page 2

FILM HOLD-UP

NOT YET ENDED.

By Telegraph—Per Press Association. >

WELLINGTON, November 17

Very little business has been dom* in film circles sine® the Acting-Prime Minister made a statement early last week that the dispute between the Government anti the distributors had come to an end. For a day or iw%/ after the. announcement, the film agencies in Wellington awaited instruction from their bead offices in dydney as to recommencing business, but even when the essential word was given, 'there, was no rush of showmen desiring to book the films which had been accumulating on the shelves of the renters in this country.

When this matter was inquired into, it was found that there was an obstacle, in the form of a new clause vliicli the exhibitors signing the new contracts were Icing aslcßtl to ,subscribe to; its nature, it is. said, being such that the exhibitors have hesitated to make contracts which are. not wholly binding upon the renter. On the renter’s part, this clause is claimed to he 11 safeguard against possible developments or adjustments in taxation as the result of an inquiry promised to tire trade for March next. Tim members of the Executive of the Motion Picture -Exhibitors* Association met this morning to discuss matters in connection with the clause, and, ns a result, negotiations are to be opened up with the distributor's with a view of having the proposed dance either wholly eliminated, or modified.