THE BUDGET

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1033, 25 July 1930, Page 12

THE BUDGET

PICTURE-GOER TAXED BRITISH PRODUCTIONS CANNOT MEET DEMAND THEATRES' HEAVY LOSSES “Unless an increase takes place in the production of British films and to a sufficient extent to meet the demand, then I cannot see that the new tax on entertainment is going to affect the British talkie j in New Zealand to any extent.” i This comment was made this morning by Mr. Thomas O'Brien, of Thomas O’Brien Theatres. “Such pictures as 'Rookery Nook’ j have increased the demand for British j goods, but as there is not sufficient of these to meet the demand then the American film will continue to be ; used.” The restoring of the amusement tax ] would, of course, be borne by picture- j goers, while it was difficult to say yet who would be laden with the burden j of the tax on films. “The talkie is un- I doubtedly the entertainment for the ' masses and thus we have another tax which is going to reflect upon the j working people who can least afford ! it,” said Mr. O’Brien. Whether the tax would affect the attendances at the theatres was difficult to say. but the public must have and would demand some means of entertainment. , LOSSES LAST YEAR “There has scarcely been a film company in the Dominion which has not experienced heavy losses during the past year owing to the changeover from silent to talkie films, and this proposed tax on the lowerpriced admissions will add to our difficulties,” said Mr. Henry Hayward, of the Fuller-Hayward Theatres, Ltd., when interviewed this morning. "We are only merchants who sell happiness, and there is no reason why an extra tax should be put on the wares we sell more than on any other alleged luxuries,” Mr. Hayward pointed out. In the past year the industry had passed through a severe crisis caused by the production of talkies and this fax on the cheaper seats would necessarily have to be passed on. This would be resented by patrons. Mr. Ha}-ward held that the new lariff coxild have little effect on the British film industry, as only about 25 British talkies were made every year, us against America’s 800, and 25 could not supply the demand. The public showed a distinct preference for the British product, which was generally three times the value of an American talkie of similar technical structure. Such British productions ns “Atlantic” and “Rookery Xook’’ had borne this out. MUSICIANS PROTEST A protest against the imposition of film and amusement tax on theatres employing orchestras comes from the Auckland Musicians’ Union. The following telegram was sent to the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, and all party leaders this morning by Mr. Frank Egertou, secretary of the union: ■Re proposed increase in film and amusement tax. Urgently request that you make some provision for rebate of tax on theatres that employ orchestras. If granted this will probably ensure musicians who are now employed being retained and will most assuredly increase employment among professional musicians. Your immediate, and urgent attention is drawn to this matter.”