The Cine Technician (1943 - 1945)

62 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN May— June, 1943 Lyndon-Hay ncs— Teller quate report of the debate, so it will riot be attempted. Sufficient to say that in addition to Asquith, Percy Dayton and John Dennis supported the reference back of the section concerned, and Ivor Montagu and George Elvin defended the General Council's action. On being put to the vote the General Council's attitude was approved by 133 votes to 63, after the lengthiest debate of the meeting. Several resolutions covering such subjects as amendments to the rules governing membership, and the establishment of a fund to assist wives and dependents of A.C.T. serving members, were referred to the incoming General Council for appropriate action. Other resolutions supported the Beveridge Plan, protested against the tendency of the Government to co-operate with Fascists and other antidemocratic elements, and pledged the full mobilisation of the film industry for the eagerly awaited Second Front in Europe. Two other resolutions must be mentioned — one, from the Shell Film Unit, instructed the A.C.T. to approach all the appropriate Government Departments to ascertain what their plans were for post-war documentary and instructional film production. Finally, there was a resolution to ballot the members on the question of establishing an A.C.T. Political Fund' and affiliating to the Labour Party. This was moved for the General Council by Ralph Bond, wlui emphasised that if the ballot save a majority for such a course, membership of the Labour Party would be optional to every member. There was no compulsion and members not wishing to contribute to the Political Fund would suffer no loss of any rights guaranteed them under A.C.T. 's rules. He argued effectively for the motion, showing that all through their history the Trade Unions had been compelled to fight a political battle, firstly for their very right to exist as free organisations and latterly, for proper repre sentation in all matters affecting the functioning of the State. A.C.T. had benefited by these past battles and had itself been forced to resort to political methods to win the fight for the Quota legislation. Further, he argued, we should take a broader outlook of our responsibilities. We should play our part in achieving a higher form of society based on social ownership for the benefit of the community ; none of us wanted to plunge back into the chaotic conditions of the past. The Labour Party, with all its faults, was the broad political party of the Trade Union Movement and si » k1 for a policy of social advance. Michael Gordon of the Crown Film Unit seconded, and the resolution was carried by a large majority. Eod Baxter, the Treasurer, was as pleased a* a stockbroker with six bank balances at being able to present such a healthy financial statement to the members. Everyone" else was pleased too. for the statement was unanimously endorsed. So ended a most successful meeting — a record attendance and many excellent speeches and discussions. The one unhappy note was the resignation of Anthony Asquith from his duties as President— duties he has carried out with such loyalty, enthusiasm and energy for the past several years. But this apart, it was a grand meeting, and adequately reflected the power and influence that A.C.T. has acquired during its brief but momentous historv. ELECTION RESULTS President : (Position temporarily vacant) Vice-Presidents : Kenneth Gordon Sidney Cole S. J. Bremson Thorold Dickinson Ralph Bond Treasurer : R. K. Neilson Baxter Trustees Basil Wright Toni Roe Geoffrey Bell Auditors John Dennis General Council : (Studio) Ivor Montagu Bernard Knowles C. Wheeler C. Tomrley Kay Mander Desmond Dickinson Michael Gordon May Dennington Max Anderson (Laboratory) A. R. Cooper Florence Munden George Irons W. Sharp Leo Cass G. Vale