FILMS AND THE QUOTA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 405, 13 July 1928, Page 8

FILMS AND THE QUOTA

A MONO the Government measures to he submitted to the House ■f* of Representatives at the earliest opportunity is the Cinematograph Film Bill, which embodies the British quota proposals substituted for the suggested increase in the duty on foreign films. There is no quaa-rel with the Government for its endeavour to popularise British fllm productions which are steadily improving in quality , and deserving of every possible encouragement. It is the method to be adopted that is agitating exhibitors all over the Dominion. On the lines of the British measure the Bill provides for the inclusion on programmes of a quota of films of British manufacture, beginning at 5 per cent, and gradually increasing. And there are provisions—rather cumbersome, too—to ensure that no evasion of responsibility takes place. The Dominion exhibitors, prefer, naturally, that they should have free choice of the best material that the world has to offer. They have no guarantee that the quota films will approach the standard required by individual theatres. Where British films have been of outstanding quality exhibitors have, as business men, gone out of their way to feature them, but they have absolutely no assurance that the standard will remain uniformly high—such guarantee in any art or literary production is impossible—and they are apprehensive, therefore, of a compulsory and gradually-increasing quota. In one country where the system is in operation, it has been found necessary, in some instances, to advertise: This is NOT a quota picture.” Further comment on that aspect of the business would seem to be superfluous. Members of Parliament, before taking part in the debate on the new Bill, should consider very carefully the potential injustice that may result from undue interference with private enterprise.