The Cine Technician (1943 - 1945)

&2 T H E C I X E T E C H X I C I A N July— August, 1041 pressed themselves as in favour of monopoly. Harold Huth felt that Bank sincerely desired to build up the industry. David Lean said that certain technicians had been given greater financial freedom than they had had before in making their films, with which Bonnie Xeame agreed. They deplored sneers at Bank's religion. (A speaker had remarked that Bank was a self-made man who believed in his Creator.) Miss Cooper suggested that if we were going to have monopoly, it would be better to have one over which we could have a more democratic control, i.e., public ownership. An Austrian refugee technician told us what had happened to the Austrian film industry. It became a monopoly which finally sold out to the German monopoly — U.F.A. Shortly afterwards, the Xazi took over U.F.A. and with it the Austrian him industry, thus dictating what went on to Austrian screens long before Hitler's Storm Troops marched into Vienna. It was an extremely good and stimulating discussion which mostly kept to fundamental issues. Apart from minor reservations, the view of our members was shown by the overwhelming vote — only two opposing the resolution. A.C.T. was the first Union to hold a General Meeting after the enactment of Begulation IAA. It therefore became the first Union to have the opportunity of discussing it, the General Council submitting an emergency motion deploring the regulation, which was passed unanimously. In a very clear and forceful speech, George Elvin pointed out that there was no disagreement with the Government's view that strikes in wartime must be avoided. But the General Council could not accept the view that Trade Union officials needed protection from outside agitators. We had to look to the future. This Begulation, added to the 1927 Trade Disputes Act, could be a very dangerous weapon against the Unions. It is true that the T.U.C. was consulted and introduced quite a number of safeguards, but in his view these were not enough. It was a fair reading of the Begulation that talking about the possibility of strike action casually in canteen, pub or on the way to work would be indictable under the Begulation. Finally, you cannot stop industrial unreal simply by regulations. You can only stop :t by abolishing its cause or through the voluntary ellrestraint of the workers concerned. Bod Baxter, Treasurer, introduced the accounts, which were looking very healthy. The only complaint to be made was that the target set for the Benevolent Fund had not nearly been reached. He and other members from the floor urged strongly that everyone, but especially the higher paid technicians, should ensure that the Fund should reach £5,000 during the coining year. (A twinge of conscience? Well, you know the A. ('. I address.) In this connection, I refer you to a paragraph in the Organiser's Beport on page 54. Other discussions centred round such question-, as the employment of unskilled technicians and non-Trade Unionists, and of inexperienced persons as Directors or Associate Producers. Tied in with the second motion, was the insistence on the close'l shop principle, which was endorsed unanimously All the discussions were good and keen and showed a strong sense of responsibility about the future — economic, political and technical — of th industry. Let's hope we keep this up, until it can be reinforced by the vigour and determination of our members returning from the Forces. For the first time in A.C.T. history, there was a contest for the position of President, Anthony Asquith and Sidney Cole both standing. Asquith won, and in a graceful speech afterwards said that had he had an opportunity of a word with Sid before the meeting, he would have felt like using the words of Thackeray, who, when approached by a competitor with the words — " May the best man win," replied "Oh, I hope not." S.C. CHANGE OF ADDRESS ASSOCIATIONS OF CINE-TECHNICIANS The Address of THE ASSOCIATION OF CINE-TECHNICIANS AND "THE CINE-TECHNICIAN" IS NOW 2, SO HO SQUARE, LONDON. W . 1 . Telephone: CERRARD 8506-7-8 Nozi installed