The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Jul-Aug 1922)

55 THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. July 15, 1922. SOUTH WALES C.E.A. AND THE TAX. Passive Resistance Advocated. UGGESTIONS fer active oppositia to the Entertainments Tax were forthcoming at the monthly meeting of the South Wales and Mon. Branch of the C.BLA.. held at the Kinema Fxchanse, Cardiff, over which Mr. David) Hughes (Ponypandy) presided. The attendance was tairly good. The Secretary having rend oa letter tram the Kinema Tax Abolition Committee in Londea, im waich it was stated that new posters would be available in oa tew days’ time, Mr. Will Stone (Tonypandy) said that his oxperence was that the public was very apathetic in regard to the question, Mr. Richard Dooner (Maestery considered it) impossible to estimate the amount of good these posters were doing. In support of the excellent work tie Abolition Comunittee had done they ought to circularise all their members, tell them about: the hew posters, and sugeest that they be put ino a prominent position, Passive Resistance Advocated. Mr. George Roberts (Portay remarked that he was often accused of jumping off the deep end, but he had given this matter Very serious consideration, and he did net believe, from the feelinus ot the Government and the House of Commons, that they were going to get any relief frome this tax. They knew full well that the Govermment never vield do to arguments or reason, and they only vielded to force. ‘They had evidence of this in the cause of Kevpt and again in Ireland, Violence and foree was the only way in whieh they were going to get relict. He thought they should adopt the att-tude of passive resistance by refusing to collect the tax, Tle was so serous on this matter that he was prepared to go to the length of gcine to gaol if need be, and join with others in a refusal to coilect the tax. Mr. Will Stene: TP propose that Mr. Roberts sets the example. (Hear, teary We will all come to see him eo to enol, Mr. Re Dooner said that whilst he appreciated the fighting attitude of Mr. Roberts, he would dike that gentleman to give them some conerete sugeestion as to hew it eculd be done. To this Mr. Roberts replied that it was quite simple, Instead of using tax tickets they could use ordinary printed tickets with the admission prices on. Several metubers : Then vou are breakine the law, Mr. Roberts: Quite so, Yet are refusing to collect: the tax. Mr. Dooner: Surely, Mr. Roberts docs not sugyest that at my time of life—filty-two—P should set the example? Mr. Will Stone pointed out that the penalty applied equally to the member cf the audience who had not paid the tax as to the proprietor. To the chairman's question whether or not that point had heen brought up in a case, Mr Nat D'x (Swansea) said he thought it had once or twice. The Chairman pointed ont that with these kind of things they had to go by stages, and whikt Mr. Roberts might be sincere, he could hardly expect co-operation at this period, Posters and M.P.s. Mr. Dooner’s sugeestion as to cireularising the members having been adopted, he next moved that a letter be sent to the secretary of the Abolition Committee saying how much they appreciated their work, and assuriue them that the branch would make the best use of the posters to keep tuinus alive. Mr. A Hauser (Cardiffi suseested that if they were going to se posters they should use big ones. He was prepared to give them a site seventy-six feet in extent in Queen Street, Cardiff, which would attract the public. Google Mr. Hauser was thanked for his offer, and it was avreed to leave the wording of the poster to the Abolition Committee, Mr. J. BE. Sprague (Pontypridd) mentioned that he had had acreply from the Meiiber of Parliament for his division (Mr. T. A. Lewis) as to why he voted against the proposal when it came up. The member said that the only question that came before them was that of a flat rate, and as this would have involved a loss to the Exchequer of six million pounds he eculd hot see his way to vote other than against it. At the same time, his sympathies were with the members of the kinema trade. By-Election Tactics. It was mentioned that by-elections were about to take place in Pontypridd and Gower, and Vir. R. Dooner moved that they ask the advice of the Main Committee on this point as to what their attitude was to be. Mr. George Roberts thousht it advisable to write to the two candidates for Gower asking them what their views were on this subject. As to the reply of Mr. TL A. Lewis (Pontypridd), he considered it) was just a political dodge. These members bad to obey the Whips of their party. It was decided to write to the candidates for Gower and obtain their views, Mr. Frank Taylor (Merthyr) proposed that they write to Captain Barber expressing the opinion that it would be a good thing to have posters all over the country showing people what they have to pay in tax, how it hits them, and then at the bottom say how their member voted, for or against. Mey. Will Stone: To think that here we have a real line of action, Mr. J. BE. Sprague seconded the proposal, Mr. Frank Taylor's: proposition was carried. He next moved that someone from each district where by-clections were taking place should yo and ask candidates publicly whether they were in favour of the abolition or amendment of the Entertainments Tax or not, Mr. A. Tfauser seconded, and Mr. R. Dooner said he would heartily support it if Mr. Taylor would) first of all let it go before the Abolition Committee, and ask them whether or not they took exception to it. The proposer agreed and the resolution was carried. At the sugvestion of Mr. George Roberts it was agreed to hold another meeting on Friday next to further consider the Entertainments Tax question. Discussion concerning the Model Contract was deferred until the next meeting, so that Mr. Hk. V. Davies, a member of the sub-committee, could be present. Jn search of unfamiliar Jocales, Leah Baird and her entire company have just swiled for South America, Backgrounds entirely new will be shown in the new picture upon which she is at work, the fourth of the series of Leah Baird) productions being made for the Associated Exhibitors under the direction of Arthur F. Beck. THE “OWL” FILM and PAPER CLIP. A Clip that is pleasing in performance. in appearance. and whose construction is such that it will not scratch the Films or mutilate the Papers upon which they are used, nor injure the fingers of those who apply them. Obtainable from all the leading Stationers, or cirect from the manufacturer. Price 6d. per Box of 100. IGNATIUS DOFF, Gladiator Works, Chorlton-c.-Hardy,6