POSTERS AS WELL AS PICTURES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 43, 13 May 1927, Page 1

POSTERS AS WELL AS PICTURES

NEW CENSOR OF FILMS APPLICATIONS CALLED WELLINGTON, Thursday. Much will be required of the new film censor, for whom applications, to close at the end of the current month, are now being called. For his £550 per annum (to commence) the new censor will be expected to exercise a judicious selection—and restraint if necessary—of the films which overseas firms, as well as our own, produce as suitable matter for the tastes of a temperate people. He will, according to the Undersecretary for Internal Affairs (Mr. J. Hislop) be a man of tact, and one who will secure and keep the confidence of an amusement-loving public. His knowledge of the cinematograph will require to be extensive, while the best of relations will be sought between the Government and the movie men themselves. There is none actually ‘‘in the running” ■within the Department at the moment, but it is considered that New Zealand contains several men who are eminently suited for the task of watchirpr endless reels of film pass through the machine, and deciding just what is good for the public and what is not.

The duties of the new man will not be confined to films, however, but will, in pursuance of the Cinematograph Censorship Act of last session, embrace a jurisdiction over advertising posters of films proposed to be shown in New Zealand. It is possible that the increased duties will necessitate increased staff, but this matter will not be decided till the new censor is appointed and settles down in the new building which *s being built for this department, and which is expected to be completed by the time an appointment is made next month. No change in policy iu the censorial department is con-

templated by the Government, and the new film censor will be expected to foilo-w the lines adopted by the late Mr. Joliffe when he assumed the censorship after the passing of the 1916 Act. ACTIVITIES IN BRITAIN Hopes are entertained by the authorities at Home that, as a result of the Cinematograph Films Bill, which is now receiving consideration, increased interest in the British film production will become manifest, particularly in financial circles, and a revival of the industry will take place. The purpose of the bill, as outlined in the Trade Bulletin received by H.M. Trade Commissioner in New Zealand. Mr. B. D. Beale, is to restrict blind-booking and advancebooking of films, and to secure the renting and exhibition of a certain proportion of British films. No agreement is to be entered into for exhibition more than six months ahead, and this is likely to cause concern, for any agreement settled before the passing of the Act. which would be illegal after that date, will cease to be effective in relation to films to be exhibited after March 31 next.

The quota of British films which renters and exhibitors must show will rise in annual increases of 25 yer cent from 71 per cent in 1926 to 23 per cent in 1935 and thereafter.