The Cine Technician (1935-1937)

42 The Journal of the Association of Cine-Technicians August, 1935 come within tlie scope of tlie Act are employed. Certain parts of film studios come within this provision. (2) Employers' Liability Act, 1880. This Act covers, in the main, personal injury caused through defective machinery or equipment, negligence of persons in a position of superintendence or by reason of the act or omission of any persons in the service of the employer, done or made in obedience to the rules or particular instructions of the employer. There are, however, certain defences available to the employer which restrict the utility of this Act. (3) Claim at Commoji Laiv. A claim for damages in respect of injury occurred through an employer's negligence may be made at Common Law. The first step to be taken in respect of a claim for compensation is to give notice of the fact of the injury and to state the intention to claim compensation. It is not necessary at that stage to claim any specific sum, but notice must be given as soon as practicable after the occurrence of the accident. Conclusion. — In conclusion, may I stress that members, in their own interests, should clarify their own position, with reference to terms and nature of employment, as much as possible. Several of the cases which have been brought to the Association would have been considerably simplified if copies had been kept of important correspondence, and verbal and telephonic communications and appointments confirmed by letter. This is not a difficult request, and one that may save a considerable amount of time and trouble should some misunderstanding or disagreement arise. Lastly, if a member feels he has a grievance, he should not take the matter in his own hands and threaten legal action or take such proceedings. Consult your Association first, and with its help and guidance try to obtain an amicable settlement which will leave no ill-feeling behind it. Legal action can come later should it prove to be necessary. Every other avenue should be explored first. Building a wall of enmity between employers and employees does neither you, nor your fellow-technicians, any good. Moreover, the Law — like the Ritz Hotel — is open to c\erybody ! Customs Regulations — continued. The forms required for the examination of the raw stock are Form 5fi3 in duplicate and a Shipping Bill, No. 114 (sale). Cameras and equipment should be detailed on the following forms in duphcate : — British Gear Form, No. 29 ; Foreign, Form No. 30, and produced to H.M. Customs Officer at the port of embarkation, when one copy will be handed back to the ex])orter duly signed and must be preserved for presentation on the return journey. (Editor's Note. — The ("ustoms Officers dealing with film work are very busy people. (iive them plenty of time to deal with your case and get to the Departure Dock in good time so that your camera and stock can be shi])ped in advance of the other passengers. The Films Officer is located at Shaft csburv A\cinu', and is always ready lo help you.) Customs Regulations for the Film Trade From enquiries of H.M. Customs Service, we are able to give the following details of Customs regulations and duties : — Rates of Duty — Full. Preferential. Mute negative, ... ... 5d per ft. 3Jd per ft. Sound negative, ... 10% of value. Free. (A minimum value of 4/2 per ft. operates). Combined negatives ... 5d per ft. 3^d per ft. (Sound and Picture) Id per ft. \d. per ft. Mute positive, Sound positive, ... 33|% of value. 22f,% value. (A minimum value of 1/3 per ft. operates). Combined print, ... Id per ft. §d. per ft. (Sound and Picture). Raw Stock, Jd. per ft. ■;id. per ft. (Negative or Positive). Cameras and other optical instruments, 50"4 ad val. Free. Objectives, etc., ... do. do. Sound recording cameras, all types and sound heads, do. do. Photographic paper, plates and flat films, ... 25",, ad val. Free. Still negatives exposed, do. do. Stills (Prints), 20 "„ ad val. do. Duty Reliefs. No. 1. — If it is proved to the satisfaction of H.M. Customs in respect of any imported negative cine film, developed or undeveloped, (1) that the production of the film was organised by persons whose chief or only place of business was in the United Kingdom, and (2) that the producer is a British subject and domiciled in the United Kingdom, and that all the principal actors (including the cameraman) employed for the production, except five, or, if the total number of principal actors is less than twenty, not less than three-quarters of the actors were British subjects domiciled in the U.K., the rate of duty payable on the negative is reduced to |d. per foot. The regulations governing the issue of a "Certificate of Approval" for the above films are issued as Statutory Rules and Orders, 1925, No. 1368, obtainable from H.IVI. Stationery Office, "Adastral House," Kingsway, W.C.2. Any appHcation for a "Certificate of Approval" must be made before the departure of the producer and his Unit and should be addressed to : — H.M. Customs and Excise, First Floor, 61/63 Shaftesbury Avenue, W.C.I. No. 2. — Any Negative film which is certified by the Board of Trade as being a British film witliin the meaning of Section 27 (3) of the Cinematograph Films .Act, 1927, is also admitted at the reduced rate of Jd. per foot. The regulation governing this is issued as Statutorv Rules and Orders, 1928, No. 649. On importation the films must be removed to tlie Bonded Film Store, Endell Street, London, W.C, for examination. If the raw stock is taken out of England with the Unit, arrangements should be made for its examination b\ a Customs Officer from Shaftesbury Avenue before exportation. In such cases no duty will be rccjuired on re-imjiortatioii. (Continued at toot of preceding column)