DOMINION MAY GET WORST BRITISH FILMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 397, 4 July 1928, Page 16

DOMINION MAY GET WORST BRITISH FILMS

PROPOSED LEGISLATION EXHIBITORS CONCERNED Grave concern is being felt by motion-picture exhibitors at the proposal of the Government to enforce by legislation the screening of a substantial quota of British films in New Zealand. Fears are shown regarding quality to meet the public demand. “While many might look upon the suggested measure with favour as a means of securing more British productions, it is causing grave concern to exhibitors,” declared Mr. Henry Hayward, a director of Hayward’s Pictures, at yesterday’s annual meeting. “Reuter’s, on the other hand, will simply be provided with a ready-made market, and naturally will be inclined to purchase the cheaper productions to make up the quota- Exhibitors will hav e to screen them at the best showing periods, not matter what their quality is. Travel and scenic films as now shown will not count. “Quite conceivably, New Zealand may have the worst of British films, with a serious result to the industry. "SLUR ON PATRIOTISM” “I consider the Bill a slur on the patriotism of exhibitors, who have suggested to th© Government that they should be trusted and allowed voluntarily to attempt to screen the largest possible proportion of British films.” “The Bill might well have a crippling effect,” said Mr. John Fuller. “People will tolerate poor politicians, but they will not put up with poor picture shows. After my travels in England and America, I have come to the conclusion that if British investors could be persuaded to put their money into the British film industry instead of into the American, the situation would be righted.” “The Bill is an attempt at further State interference in private enterprise,” decided Mr. P. A. Herman.