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

“42 THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. October -14, 1922. TAX DISCUSSION: BY LIVERPOOL C.E.A. Flat Rate v. Total Abolition—Need for a Definite and Universal Policy. (By our Liverpool Correspondent.) -B was oxpected, the monthly mecting of the North-Wester: branch of the C.E.A., which was held in the secretary's office, 10, Cook Street, Liverpool, on Friday afternoon, the 6th inst., gave rise to considerable diseussion upon a variety of topies affecting the welfare of the kinema business, with special reference to the exhibiting side. Mr. J. TH. Dovener (chairman of the branch) presided, and there were also present “Messrs. F. W. Locke, P. Brimelow, F. Worswick, C. J. Forder, G. Mansfield, B. Allman, J. Littler, C. Shaw, J. Langham Brown, and the secretary (Mr. G. Dudley West). The Chairman stated that, in consequence of pressing busines. with regard to the Asseciation in London, the president of the C.E.A. (Alderman EF, A. Trounson) regretted his inability to be present at the meeting. Mr. Duncan French, vice-chairman of the North-Western branch, also regretted being unable to attend, The Chairman then called attention to an item on the agenda dealing with what he deseribed as‘ the most important matter we have to deal with at the present moment."’ This was as follows, viz. : To consider a resolution passed at the General Council meeting on September 13, 1922: That the branches be asked for suggestions ax to the best method of continuing the tax campaign. 11 Points on the Tax. In connection therewith the Chammarn had prepared the following with a view to giving a lead to the discussion. He said he had included] in the document everything he could think of connected with the matter of the Tax campaign, and he added that he had done it entirely on his own without consultation with anybcdy, The document was as follows : This branch is of opinion : : ; (1) That the Council would be well advised to decide upon a . definite. policy and instruct the committee accordingly before it takes any action. (2) Procepure. That a policy having been agreed, the campaign should be conducted with all the vigour that the financial resoyrces will permit. . : : (3) Agotrtion. That in view of the experience gained the time is not yet ripe for demanding total abolition of the Entertainments’ Tax, and that policy should be abandoned for the present. ie (4) Incrpence. That the policy of a flat rate is likely to find most favour with Members of Parliament, and can be sup rted on the ground of simple justice. It should, thereae. take precedence. (5) AMount or Tax. That the tax should be 10 per cent. | (6) Benerrts or Tax. That there should ke a clear understanding that every kinema will pass on to the public the benefit ‘ of any abatement received by a corresponding reduction in the price of admission, and not in the form of improved programs, better furnishing, etc.. and that any attempt to evade this by subterfuge should be discountenanced. (7) Unanimity. That efforts be made to combine all branches of the entertainment industry in order’ to obtain a united front and a uniform demand from the trade. (8) Screens. That the Council should authorise the use of screens for propaganda, subject tu a proviso that the wording must be approved by the general secretary, and that no authorised statement shall be permitted on any screen under any circumstances. At elections, either by or General. an announcement should bemade through the medium of the screen as to which of the candidates, if any, has pledged himself to support our trade, and exhibit the portraits of all candidates who undertake to do this. Co gle (9) Importance. That the General Council be requested to give this matter priority over other business at their conferences, and to permit any member to open a discussion upon it at any time. (10) AssisTaNce or Brancues. That the branches te instructed to give this matter precedence over other business and to concentrate upon it. ; (11) Finance. That a statement of the financial position be submitted to the branches, together with an estimate of probable expenditure, and a request for further contributions. : ; The Chairman urged that the first thing to do, as suggested in the first paragraph, was to agres upon a very definite police in the matter, (‘‘Agreed."")| Whatever they determined upon let it be definite, and let them stick to it. (¢* Hear, hear.) The second paragraph had been inserted because, upon the last occasion when the subject was under discussion, they had not troubled about this aspect of the question, and if it had not been for a stroke of luck they would have been unable to meet their engagements. Giving the Public the Benefit. Mr. Worswick said he did not think it would ever be possible to obtain a flat rate. He, for one, was in favour of demanding the complete abolition of the Tax, and giving the public the whole of the benefit obtained thereby. Whatever was taken off the Tax should, in his opinion, inure to the benefit: of the public. _ If they got the support of the public in the matter, then there would be a possibility of the Tax being abolished. In this matter they did not have the support of the managers of kinemas in the West End. His view was that they should endeavour to get the public on their side in demanding a total abolition of the Entertainment Tax, and tc that end he suggested that thes might use their screens for propaganda purposes in the matter, and also have specehes on the subject from their platforms. and endeavour to werk the public up to such a pitch that they would themselves demand the abolition of the Tax if they thouvht they were going to get a reduction of threepence in the price of the chilling seat, and, in the case of the poor person, the reducten of the amount of the Tax on the fivepenny seat. 9 (‘* Hear, hear.’’) Mr. Brimelow did not think they stood an earthly chance of obtaining the total abolition of the Tax. Indeed, in his opinion they would be very lucky if they got any reduction at all under present conditions. The Chairman informed the meeting that he had devoted the whole of two evenings to ‘ lobbying '? Members of Parlercent at the House of Commons, and he had come to the conclusion that it was hopeless to think of obtaining the abolition of the Tax. Mr. Locke said that if they asked for a 10 per cent, flat rate they would probably get five per cent. ‘* Election Time is Coming.”’ Mr. Worswick asserted that unless there was a strong policy taken up in the matter they would never get anything taken «if the Tax, and 1t would remain as a war measure. As long as they had the money, why not, he asked, yo in-for a hold nel v? (Continued at foot of nert page.) ;