FILM BOYCOTT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4507, 20 September 1930, Page 3

FILM BOYCOTT.

MIR. TRUEMAN HEAVES A BR'IOK.

Mr. W. Trueman, local Town Chnlk and manager of the Town Hall pictures inserts the following letter in to-day’s Dominion: — “The American film exchanges through'their representative Sir Victor Wilson appear to be endeavouring to disguise their “boycott” and call it by some other name that may tend to induce public opinion to bring pressure to bear on the Government to accept a fixed sum, instead of percentage. taxation of the companies’ net profits. If this “boycott” is not a “boycott,” why is it that one film exchange, in n letter to me dated 10th instant, states: “Unfortunately we are unable to accept these hookings at the present time, as this exchange, along with all other film exchanges, has been instructed not to enter into any new agreements until such time as an arrangement has been made regarding the Government’s new film tax.”

iNow this company wrote this letter in reply to one of mure asking them to book two named silent pictures. At the same time I have a emit rad with this company to supply 40 silent pictures over a period of 52 weeks, and pictures are being supplied regularly under this contract., but when I ask for two additional silent pictures the above reply was received. The two pictures 1 wrote about were released during 1029. Now is this a “boycott” or is it not? I am pleased to mention, however, in conclusion, that I have obtained without any difficulty two pictures from Australia, and New Zealand Pictures, Ltd., so 1 shall be able to manage without the other pielures."