NO EXTRA TAX ON FOREIGN FILMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 167, 5 October 1927, Page 9

NO EXTRA TAX ON FOREIGN FILMS

OLD TARIFF STANDS QUOTA SYSTEM PROMISED (THE SL'S'S Reporter.) WELLINGTON. Tuesday. The supplementary tariff resolutions introduced in the House of Representatives to-day provide for the reversion of the duty on films to the old rate. The quota system is to be introduced in a Bill later to give preference to the British film industry. TN the course of his remarks, the Minister of Customs, the Hon. \V. Downie Stewart, said that the old duty on films has been restored and the proposal to increase the duty on the foreign article from Id a foot to 3d a foot had been abolished. This action had been taken because there was a suggestion that the British film people would have difficulty in turning out the required number of films. The film queta was considered by many to be the more efficacious method of handling the position. It had been decided that in view of the possibility of the extra i:d a foot being passed on to the public—which was not the aim of the Government—ancl the fact that the quota would be dealt with later in the session, the tariff could stand over till the quota was brought forward for discussion. It was found that foreign companies were operating largely in New’ Zealand and seme method of collecting equitable contributions toward the taxation was desired. This question would be decided later, when the question was reviewed. Mr. Wilford: If an American company shows a British film here, is it still a British film? Mr. Stewart: I do not know. We charge on the positive, and Australia and England charge on the negative.