The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Apr-Jun 1922)

May 27, 1922. THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE !? SWS. 33 C.E.A. DECIDES TO CLOSE ITS PUBLICITY DEPARTMENT On the grounds of ‘Eegnonis, Despite Strong _ Opposition to HE usual General Council mecting cf the CELA. was held at Broadmead House, Panton Street, W., last week, Alderman E. Trounson, J.P., in the chair. The principal item of business for discussion was the question ot terminating the existence of the Publicity Department, and the Council considered the following recommendation from the Finanee Comittee : “Phat this Committee reeenmends the General Council to determing as soon es may he the existing arrangement with respect to the Publicity Department, and in the event of the expenses presently incurred in connection with the work that departinent being conserved, to pay from the headquarter funds the expenses of one delegate from each branch on the following scale : 3rd class return railway fare and an amount for personal expenses not to exceed 25s. fer each day the delegate is ongaged in attending Couneil or Committee meetings of the Association.” Mr. J.T. Hallinan moved. and Mr. Re Richardson seecuded, “That the Publicity Departiient as at present constituted be terminated.” The Chairman said the expenditure on the Publicity. Department for the lest 24 weeks had been 474, and their cstinints was that the department would cost something in the neizhbourheod of £1,000 a year. That was too great an expense to be borne by their Asscciation alone, as the publicity. was on behalt of the entire trade, That was one of the questions which the Joint Trade Council, which was being formed, would have. to consider. as it was not fair to ask the Association to bear that expense fer the whole trade. That would relieve throughout the country of a heavy burden, and would enable them to receive the branch's proportion of subscriptions without deductions as at present. It should also meet the objection of the Lendon, Branch. The termination of the Publicity Depart branches ment did not mean that they would cease propaganda and publicity. There was. now. sufficient machinery and ability available in the office that it was not necessary to have an outside departrnent. On Mr. Gavazzi King’s return he was sure that the secretary and the assistant secretary together could deal with the actual publicity demanded by the exhibiting side. A PLEA FOR CONTINUANCE Mr. F. E. Adams moved as an amendment ‘* That the matter be referred back for re-consideration.”” He thought it a very short-sighted policy for them to do without a publicity manager. A new industry was being attacked in every quarter, and was labouring under the very greatest difficulties. Te thought that to close the Publicity Department for purpeses of paying expenses of additional delegates was a suicidal poliex. Up to the appointment of their publicity manager no one had taken the slightest notice of Press comments, which were injuring their business. Mr. A. FE. Newbould, M.P., said he was in absolute agreement with Mr. Adams, and was one of the prime movers to establish a Publicity Department. The work of that) Association was growing out of all bounds. If they could not afford a Publicity Department, they could consider ways and means, but he thought on the grounds before them that afternoon the Council was not justified in passing such a resolution without further consideration. = He seconded Mr. Adams's amendment. Mr. E,W. Peall supported the amendment. Google the Proposal. EFFICIENCY AND. ECONOMY. Mr. J. McBride supported the resolution. There were two or three in Scothind who received articles containing attacks cn the Kinema when there was anything to reply to, and they were able to deal with them far more effectively than could be done by anyone who was open to the criticism that his letter was speciil pleading. “Mr. Gavazzi King had done some very-etfective work, and he thought that they could carry on as effective publicity as they had been vetting, and so far as Seothind was concerned thes could carry it on iore effectively themselves, . Mr. W.ON. Blake said it was his pleasant duty to disown his ecEeasgue, Mr. A. EY Newbould, MPL. who was a delegate from (Laughter) Delegates’ expenses were a very serious the branches, and they had got to get the money from They had got to cut down their expenses, and he did not think they wrong if they brought the Puolicity Department, as at present constituted. to anend, Mr. FLW. Morrison predicted that 100 per cent, of the pintivehins would vote unanimously in faveur of the resolution. He would have no objection to a publicity agent, but the expenses should be borne by the three branches of the trade. The C.B.A. could he Jonger afford to do it alone. The amendinent was put and dost. and carried, his branch. mnatter for ‘somewhere. were yvoing to vo far The resolution was put DELEGATES’ EXPENSES. The preposition now is that as soon as the Finanee Committee has arranged -for the termination of the Publicity, Department, the money so saved shall be available for the payment cf one delegate’s expenses from each branch, and that no deduetion will be made for delegate’s expenses from the proportion of money which is remitted to each branch. In thet way they weuld be helping the smaller branches. He moved The Chairman : “That the scheme for the payment of delegates’ expenses recommended by the Finance Committee be approved and adopted, to commence from the date of termination of the Publicity Department." Mr. J. Leslie Greene seconded the resolution. Bailie Wright said that their branch considered that head quarters sheuld) pay for two delegates from) Scotland. Their branches would not agree to asking one man to come from Glasgow, and for the branch to pay the other delegate’s expenses who accompanied him, Mr. F. W. Morrison pointed cut that the whole question of necessity meant that if headquarters paid mere than they had to spend it would have to he dedueted. from what) was allowed to the branches, so that there was not much difference between what was proposed by the Finanee Committee and what had been suggested by Bailie Wright. After further discussion, Mr. F. FR. Adams moved as an amendment, “* That from the date of the termination of the Vublicity Department there be paid from headquarter funds the expenses of one delegate on the scale suggested by the Finance Committee for all branches whose membership does not exceed 250. and for two delegates for all branches whese membership exeseds 250, which would meet the demand ctf the S Seottish members, Mr. J. Leslie Greene seconded the amendinent, wlieh, put as a substantive resclution, was carried. (Continued on nert page.)