The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Nov-Dec 1922)

November 11, 2922. THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. ‘31 MASS MEETING OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AT PRESTON. Colonel George Stanley Addresses the Meeting. (By WM. HY. HUISH.) N Tuesday last there was held the largest and most O enthusiastic meeting in connection with the entertainment industry that it has ever been my privilege to attend, all sections of the West Lancashire area being well represented by the most prominent members of the industry. The large banqueting hall at the Bull and Royal Hotel, Preston, was full, The various staffs at the theatres, mueic halls, -kinemas, and out-door entertainments in the district were all represented, and the North End Football Club was officially represented by their secretary (Mr. Atkinson}, Mr. A. Wilkinson was unanimously elected to the chair and, on opening the proceedings, explained the object for which the meeting had been convened. He further explained that at the meeting held the previous week certain gentlemen had been appointed conveners in each of the districts, and he would now call upon these gentlemen to give their reports. Mr. A. R. Harrison (Hippodrome, Blackpool) etated that the candidates in his district had been interviewed. He had seen the Liberal candidate, and that gentleman had informed him that at the present time he was not in a position to express his views on the tax, not having had time to consider the question. He was, however, prepared to give the question every consideration, and asked that he might be supplied with certain facts and figures. Councillor Thomas Else (Poulton) stated that bis. had _ interviewed the Conservative candidate, and he had been received very graciously by that gentleman, and he was pleased to find that he did not need to be converted, having stated at once that he was entirely in sympathy with us and was dead sect against the tax, and would do all in his power to get it removed. Mr. John Walters (Fleetwood) had written stating that he could not attend the meeting, being away in London. He reported, however, that as the member for the Fylde district (Lord Stanley) had been returned unopposed. no question had been put to him with regard to the Entertainments Tax. Councillor T. Else stated that he was also a constituent of the nodle lord, and felt very strongly that his lordship should be asked to express his viewe. After some discussion the secretary was instructed to write Lord Stanley and to ask him to answer the questions that had been put to all the other candidates. Couneillor Will Onda, the convener for Preston, reported that Mr. J. P. Hodge, the Liberal candidate, had becn interviewed, and the question had been put to him, and his reply was ‘‘I am in favour of the total abolition of the Entertainments Tax, providing the public get the full benefit. The question had also been put to him at a public meeting, and he had given a straightforward reply in favour of total abolition. Mr. A. R. M. Camm, the Unionist candidate, had aleo been interviewed, and had expressed himself as in favour of the abolition of the tax, but he had made no public pronouncement. Mr. Tom Shaw, the Labour candidate, had stated that he was not in favour of the total abolition of the tax, but considered the incidence should be adjusted. and would advocate a ten -per cent. flat rate on the grose receipts. Mr. Frank Foster stated that he had attended a meeting of the Conservative .candidate, Colonel George Stanley, and a very unsatisfactory answer had been given to the question by that gentleman. Google The Chairman, at this juncture, informed the meeting that Colonel Stanley had expressed a desire to address them, and if it was their wish he should do so, he understood he wae in the hotel, and he would invite him into the meeting. It was unanimously decided that Colonel Stanley should be heard. Mr. Jaines Atroy then reported with regard to Lancaster and Moreeambe, and caused some amusement by stating that the Labour candidate had promised the total abolition of all taxes, including Income Tax and the Beer Tax. Mr. Singleton, the Conservative candidate, Mr. Atroy reported, had invited him when he put the question to him at a public meeting to mect him privately. He had interviewed Mr. Singleton that morning, and, although he could not promiee to pledge himself at the moment he had expressed himself as in entire sympathy with the tux being adjusted. The Secretary. reported that he had been in communication with Mr. J. T. Shyvers, of Barrow, and that gentleman reported that a deputation had waited upon the candidate in that area, and the replies had been satisfactory. Colonel Stanley was then invited to attend the meeting in order to explain his position, He thanked those present for having given him the opportunity to address them, as he felt at a meeting such as this if they would permit him to make a statement it would be far better than dealing with the matter at a public meeting by question and answer. He then went en to state that as a member of the Government he could not possibly pledge himself on a question which concerned the Government as a whole. He referred to the financial state of the country, and stated that it was difficult to persuade the Chancellor that_s man who could afford to pay 12s. 6d. for a stall in the theatre could not afford to pay a little extra in taxation for his entertainment. He admitted, however, that in the lower-priced seats there was a great difference. He quite realised the difficulties of their trade, but suggested that the present great depression in trade might have a great deal to do with their present position. He asked to be supplied with facts and figures so that he could go to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and explain to him the difficulty and danger the industry was in as a result of the tax. As a member of the Government he could do no more, and if he was turned down he was bound by the rule of the majority. The Chairman asked Colonel Stanley if he could tell him of any other business that was taxed in the same way as the entertainment industry. He had to pay at least £100 per week in taxes, yet he was unable to make a profit on his two places, and could not meet his liabilities as he would like to. He did not object to paying reasonable taxation on profits, but he ehould be given the privilege of paving his way first. Mr. Maclaren, of the Preston Empire, gave Colonel Stanley some facts and figures from a balance sheet prepared by a chartered accountant, which showed that they had paid away in Entertainment Tax over £8,000, but had lost over £500 on the vear’s trading. Mr. Walter Atkineon, secretary of the North End Football Club, stated that he had been instructed by his directors to attend that meetins and support their efforts for the total abolition of the tax, He also gave some very interesting facte and figures. [Mr. Huish’s questions to Col, Stanley are reported i in another column. ]