New Film Duties

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 149, 14 September 1927, Page 8

New Film Duties

Exhibitors Must Pay What of Increased Admission Charges i THE fact that the duty on foreign films has been increased does not come as any surprise to the trade. What concerns Mr. and Mrs. Auckland, however, and the general public throughout the Dominion is: “Are we going to pay more to see our pictures? ’ Picture-going is just as much a habit with the average New Zealander as elsewhere. There are few families in Auckland, for instance, who do not attend the films at least once a week.

THE chances are that Aucklanders will pay more in the way of admission feels. As yet, of course, this question has not been considered by the interests concerned. Still, one thing is certain —the increased cost

of threepence per lineal foot (instead of one penny) on foreign films, will have to be met by the exhibitors. The American distributors will not suffer. CLAUSE IN CONTRACT A clause in the contracts between New Zealand exhibitors and American distributors provides for the eventuality of any increase in Customs tariff, or excise duties, such as those proposed in this instance by the Minister of Customs, Mr. Downie Stewart. It is generally admitted that the new duties against American importations will not assist the importation of British films in the country, or, for tha,t matter, local production. Exhibitors when asked to express their views to-day were unanimous on these points. On the other hand Lady Cowan, wife of Sir Henry Cowan, M.P., who is visiting Auckland just now, was thoroughly in accord with the Government’s proposals. Lady Cowan is an enthusiastic advocate for British films. On her present tour of the Empire she is doing everything possible to encourage and popularise the British film product. A member of an Empire Council in London, organised for this purpose, advantage was taken of her tour to cement various British film interests in different parts of the Empire.

In Auckland this afternoon Lady Cowan will explain her proposals at a meeting of women, representative of patriotic associations arid other interested organisations. “BRITISH ARE COMING!” Lady Cowan says: “I was delighted to hear of the Government's intention to increase the duty to such a large extent on American films. I only hope that New Zealand's example will be followed in other parts of the Empire. But I would like to see you go even further and introduce the quota system here. British films are coming. Make no mistake about that!” The following opinions were expressed this morning:— Mr. Phi!. Hayward, .of .FullerHayward Theatres, an organisation which controls more than 40 movie theatres in New Zealand: “As far as I can see, the new duties will mean fewer and better films For that reason we are inclined to welcome them. But, as for assisting the British film industry, to my mind it will do nothing of the kind. The few pounds extra will not make the slightest difference to the American distributors. Fewer films will certainly enter the Dominion, but necessarily they will be better ones. .1 do not think that the Treasury will be any better off “British films must he of the right quality. No firm has done more to popularise them than we have. In fact, we screen a greater percentage oir British pictures in Auckland than is done in London. But if British consumers will not take their own product, how can they expect to get rid of it overseas? We must have the quality. The public demand it.” FALL ON EXHIBITORS Mr. Beaumont Smith, J. C. Williamson Films, Ltd., said: “There is no doubt about this fact—-the new charges will fall on the exhibitors. Our contracts with the American distributors make provision for any such tariff increases. The new duties will not help the British films in the slightest, neither will they assist local production. “The question of admission charges will have to be considered. There may be increased charges of admission, but I hardly think it likely. We do not want to increase them, but at this stage one cannot make any definite statement in that connection.” Mr. Errol Fuller, First National Pictures: “I would prefer to wait until we know that these proposals have actually been accepted by the House before I say anything.” Mr. George Taylor, Fox Films (Australasia). Ltd.: “Nothing to say at the moment.” Mr. W. E. Kirby, Paramount Pictures:: “I am not in a position to discuss anything at the present moment.”