I—l 7

16. The following table, submitted by the Film Censor, shows the numbers of films passed by him from each source country for the years from 1928-29 to 1948-49. {This should be read as in substitution for the table in paragraph 3 of the departmental report):—

17. The Cinematograph Films Act, 1928, contains quota provisions designed to •ensure that British films are given a reasonable percentage of the New Zealand market. It provides for the registration of films and stipulates that at least 20 per cent, •of the feature films acquired by renters are to be of British origin. A falling off in British production in recent years has made it impossible to maintain this percentage. In 1942-43, British films were only 6-5 per cent, of the total. Increased production ,since then brought the figure in 1948-49 to 17-9 per cent, of those passed by the Censor. It is expected that within a few years the required quota will be attained. 18. Most films shown in New Zealand are produced by the major American and British companies. The outstanding personality in Great Britain is Mr. J. Arthur Rank, whose majority holdings in several companies enable him to control more than 50 per -cent, of British production studios. In one of his subsidiary companies, Graumont British Corporation, an interest is held by the American Fox Film Corporation. The Rank Organization is also interested in Universal Films, of America. The only other major British producer of pre-war years, Associated Picture Corporation, is linked 'financially with Warner Bros., of America. Film Renting 19. Overseas producers distribute their films through what are known as renters •or film exchanges. These are responsible for distribution, and hire the films to exhibitors. They collect the rentals, deduct expenses and charges, and remit the balance to the producing organizations. The major renting companies are subsidiaries of the producing •companies, and are registered in New Zealand under names which correspond with those

7

Feature Films. Shorts. Year British. United States of America. Continental. British. United States of America and Continental. 1928-29 1929-30 1930-31 1931-32 1932-33 1933-34 1934-35 1935-36 1936-37 1937-38 1938-39 1939-40 1940-41 1941-42 1942-43 1943-44 1944-45 1945-46 1946-47 1947-48 1948-49 64 58 54 90 114 146 121 107 9$ 97 61 74 40 44 29 25 50 36 34 54* 66f 361 569 457 373 369 359 354 373 338 408 381 420 413 388 407 342 310 335 316 281 290 23 17 2 9 4 3 6 3 1 0 3 9 7 1 8 2 1 1 3 17 12 410 454 137 276 361 534 554 374 427 463 495 576 400 499 432 450 497 437 517 578 563 813 1,528 1,427 1,085 1,212 968 1,136 1,203 1,077 1,198 926 1,031 833 763 791 669 702 668 603 599 642 * Including 2 Australian. t Including 1 Australian.