The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Sep-Oct 1922)

October 7, 1922. ‘THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 5) —A COMPLETE FIASCO. Meeting Degenerates into Farce. : PLATITUDES, NOTHING HAS EMERGED THAT WILL ; er DE ONE IOTA. was that with three Associations what on earth another was wanted for was beyond one’s comprehension, and there is little doubt that there is little chance of any new Association such as the British Cinematograph Assoclation coming into being. THE CHAIRMAN’S OPENING SPEECH. Mr. Pashby Peall, in opening the proceedings, explained his occupancy of the chair as the result of having been elected on a previous occasion, but expressed his willingness to vacate it if it were so desired. The meeting, however, approved his continuance as chairman. He briefly outlined the proceedings which led to the appointment of a committee of four gentlemen connected with the industry—Messrs. F. E. Adams, George Smith, Sam Harris and EF. HN. Lyons—to bring forward sugyestions for the betterment of the industry. © There was no thought of doing injury to existing bodies—if that were so he would not be in the chair. He had always considered that the old Trade Council served a very good purpose; attempts had heen made to form another, ©The new body would be an association of all interests. NOT IN OPPOSITION TO THE C.E.A: Mr. George Smith, in presenting the committee's brief report, prefaced it with a personal explanation. “He had always stated that there was no question of opposing other associations. The question of the Entertainments Tax had been raised by one member, and the inipression got abroad that the new body was in opposition to the C.F.A. That was not the object they had in view, and he did not wish to become a party to'it. Their work would be nullified unless .they could work in harmony with existing associations. The promise had been made that definite steps would be taken to interview other associations and explain the position, and to suggest that the new body should take the place of the old Trade Council. DIFFICULTY OF SELECTING NAMES. The committee had held a meeting, when the names of certain gentlemen were put forward as members of a committee, but eventually the number was so large, and even, then, well-known people were not included, that it was decided not to procecd in that manner. At the second mecting Captain Barber, their acting hon. secretary, was asked to put forward a plan for a comprehensive trade association which he had evolved some tine before, and this seemed so carefully thought out that it was deemed worthy of further consideration; the suggestion of the selection of twelve names was thereupon dropped. There was no question but that the trade “was ready for such an organisation as they hoped to form. Some discussion and questions arose from the chairman's inquity as to whether or not the meeting wished to hear Captain Barber outline his scheme, and his connection with the committee having been explained, he proceeded to detail it. Google CAPTAIN BARBER'S SCHEME. Captain Barber, before explaining the constitution of the association he had in mind, spoke of it as an organisation that must form an integral part of the kincmatograph industry, and must be clearly understood not to overlap existing organisations which must function independently. The kinema industry had publie responsibilities, and the association was necessary as a liaison with the public. It must not interfere with the interests of the existing associations, except as an arbitration board. He suguested the name of the British Cinematoyraph Association, and its objects the protection and betterment of the kinematograph industry. The constitution which he had in mind should have : (1) As patron a roval personage, (2) nine presidents drawn from outside the industry, (3) vice-presidents not necessarily associated with the industry, (4) a council of administration consisting ef thirty, including the ehairmen anid vice-chairmen of the three trade associations, these to select a main committee to be responsible for the association's activities, (5) a Parliamentary committee of M.P.6 representing all shades of political opinion who would watch the interests of the industry in Parliament, (6) a Propaganda Committee for boosting the industry, (7) members should be exhibitors, and others with financial or working interests in the industry, (8) essociate members who should be managers and others holding responsible positions, (9) associate members who should be shareholders in the industry. There might be other sub-sections : it was not sugvested that the constitution was complete, these were the outlines of the scheme. MISTAKES IN THE PAST. In throwing the subject open for discussion the chairman asked that no personalities should be indulged in. Mr. F. i. Adams, one of the committee, then spoke at some length, his speech being mainly a recital of the opportunities which had been missed in the past by the fact that an association had not existed in the past capable of handling important questions. He expressed himself as out for the total abolition of the tax, not for any flat rate —he did not want to see the tax inflicted upon future generations. — Again, nothing was being done to get the money into the industry that was waiting for it: it was becoming the second greatest industry in the country, and it was) undeveloped ‘and unorganised. He had been approached t» join in the formation of a Trade Council, but it left him eold, for he considered that such a body moved more slowly than the other associations. © Each section had to get a mandate from the body he represented. © What waa wanted was a live organisation with brains and ability that could make up its mind; a body with cash at the back of it. and that could aet. _TRADE INTERFERENCE. If such a body had been in existence they would to-day have been their own masters. Mr. Adams instanced the difficulties which existed in some districts, where the local police could (Continued on page 11)