“The Firm” Closes Several Theatres

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 874, 18 January 1930, Page 24

“The Firm” Closes Several Theatres

HEAVY DOUBLE TAX IMPOSED IN AUSTRALIA BLOW TO INDUSTRY The restriction of theatrical companies in Australia must reflect in the entertainment provided in New Zealand. Now that J. C. W 7 illiamson, Ltd., have decided to close several of their theatres because of the imposition of Federal and State amusement taxation, fewer companies will be touring New Zealand. Sir Benjamin Fuller, who is at present in New Zealand, has described the taxation as iniquitous, and suggests that the double taxation should be tested in the High Court of Australia. In a statement to the Australian Press Sir George Tallis, chairman of directors of J.C.W., said:—“Hitherto we have operated five theatres in Melbourne and five in Sydney, but we have, because of this double tax, decided to restrict our operations by at least 50 per cent, of that number. The intention of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to reconstruct His Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, has been defin itely abandoned. Moreover, negotiations have been entered into with a drapery firm in that city for the disposal of the Melbourne Theatre Royal site. This means that two of the J. C. Williamson theatres in Melbourne will be permanently closed. So far as His Majesty’s Theatre in that city is concerned, the expenses there have averaged more than £IOO,OOO a year, and this sum will therefore be withdrawn from circulation. The wardrobe factory in Victoria will also be closed, with the result that 200 permanent hands will be thrown out of employment immediately. In Sydney, Sir George says, the talkies will be continued at (he Theatre Royal, “and,” he adds, “we are now- seriously considering the advisability of reconstructing Her Majesty’s Theatre, and making it available also for talkies. In this event, at least £300,000 or £400,000 a year, which used to be spent and distributed locally among Australians, will be sent to the other side of the world.” AN ADELAIDE EXPERIENCE Tn stating that a knock-out blow has been dealt to the industry. Sir George Tallis has been guided bv the experience of the double tax in South Australia for the past three years. I p to that period,” he states, “we had for more than 50 years successfully managed the Theatre Royal, and tor a lesser period the Tivoli Theatre in that city. Anybody can have these

theatres now. Our business in Adelaide has been absolutely ruined aid wiped out by the double amusement tax. We have definitely proved that the public will not pay 11s Sd for a 10s ticket, nor 9s 4d for an Ss ticket, nor Ss 2d for a 7s ticket. We found that a large proportion of our patrons either ceased coming to the theatre altogether, or patronised the cheaper portions of the house, and our operations thereby became commercially impossible.” Sir George, in the course of Ui3 statement, points out that the theatrical industry is almost self-contained and that almost the whole of its income is distributed in that country.

“For example, during the past few years, we have distributed more than £1,000,000 per annum throughout Australia. We have frequently directed from 12 to 15 companies, and this enterprise has represented hundreds of thousands of pounds iu salaries and wages of artists, chorussingers, and the persons employed behind the scefles. We have paid thousands of pounds in the year to the Victorian, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australian Railway Departments. As a matter of fact, w e are probably the best customers of the railways in the Commonwealth. We also maintain huge wardrobe departments in Melbourne and Sydney; and during the past 3'l or 40 years we have provided thousands of girls and a lesser number of men with wonderful opportunities of earning an honourable livelihood i:i our business.” It is obvious, he says, that any cessation of the activities of this organisation will throw an Immense number of people out of employment, and cause great suffering among a deserving class of the community.