FIXING OF QUOTA FOR BRITISH FILMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 153, 19 September 1927, Page 13

FIXING OF QUOTA FOR BRITISH FILMS

NOTHING THIS SESSION ENGLISH LEAD AWAITED WELLINGTON, To-day. legislation governing the quota of British and Empire films to be exhibited in the Dominion is not likely to make its appearance in the House of Representatives during the current session of Parliament, because the Imperial authorities, from whom the New Zealand Government is awaiting a lead, will not have passed their film quota measure in time for this country to act before the end of the year. Those who made frequent and persistent representations to the Prime Minister before the beginning of the session, have expected that something would be done this year to give greater protection by way of specific quota to New Zealand and British cinematograph films, but Mr. Coates indicated at that time that he was expecting some guidance from the Home Government as to its attitude upon this particular question. The latest trade bulletin received by 1 is Majesty’s Trade Commissioner, Mr. L. B. Beale, announces that the British Film Quota Bill is still before a Standing Committee of the House of Commons, and there appears no chance of it passing into law before the autumn session of Parliament.. In view of continued opposition in the committee itself, progress in the discussion of the different clauses of the bill is slow. A SLIDING SCALE One of the points which will have to be investigated before definite action is taken in the Dominion is whether the British interests are capable of filling the quota asked for, some doubt having beem expressed upon this subject. It is almost assured, however, that there will be a quota fixed In New Zealand, and it is anticipated that the figures eventually agreed upon at Home would suit the requirements of this country—worked on a sliding scale which increases the quota each year till a certain maximum is reached, i the autumn session of the House of Commons passes its bill, Mr. Coates and Cabinet will have ample time to consider the representations of the trade before the 1928 session of the House. The British Board of Trade* is reported to have agreed to a maximum quota of 20 per cent, instead of the original proposal of 25 per cent., while an agreement has been reached limiting the quota period to 12 years. It i» predicted that the schedule to govern the quota of British pictures will be on the following lines, this having been agreed to by the different sections of the trade: Fxlitbitor’s Quota. Renter’s Quota. In 192:1 5 per cent 71 per cent. In 1930-31 71 per cent. 10 per cent. In 1932 10 per cent. 12£ per cent. In 1933 121 per cent. 10 per cent. In 1931 -35 15 per cent. 171 per cent. And then until 1940 20 per cent 20 per cent, and then until 1940. The increased duty imposed upon American films by the new tariff proposals—the last of which has not yet been heard —makes very clear the Government’s attitude toward the British product, and will incidentally make lighter the burden of the film censor, Mr. W. Tanner, whose task in excising the unnecessary prolongation of domestic intimacies andH’eat.hery platitudes is appreciated by only a very small section of the public.