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

44 THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. December 2, 1922. MANCHESTER C.P.M.A. MEETING. The Tax and Contracts Discussed. (From our own Representative.) T the C.P.M.A. meeting, held on Tuesday, the attendance , of members was the best registered for a considerable period. The venue, however, on this ovcasion was the Grosvenor Hotel, Deansgate, it having been decided by the Executive in comiittee, following a resolution passed at the last general meeting, that future meetings shall be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at this hotel. ‘here are indications that the chanze will be to the advantage of this organisation. Previously the meetings were held each alternate Friday at the Kinema Exchange. The chairman of the C.P.M.A. (Mr. A. Wilkinson) presided at this meeting, and in opening made reference to the change of the place of meeting, remurking that in the past they didn't seem to be in the right atmosphere for sume of their members. He hoped that the change would do good. He appealed for unity and support, and said they would have substantial success if they tried for it. He extended a hearty welcome to Mr. Knowles, a renter trom London, who was present to address them. ; Tax Canrpaign in the Area. The secretary then read the minutes of the previous mecting, and reporting in connection with them, said the matter of the proposed Sunday concerts, in connection with the voluntary efforts for the local Hospitals Fund, did not secm as yet to have progressed further than being referred to the Chief Constable. He referred to tho intensive campaign waged by the Joint Tax Abolition Committee to secure the pledges of Parliamentary candidates, and was pleased to say that he had learned from Mr. Carlton that in the Lancashire area they had done as well as any other part of the country. Arising out of the minutes there was some discussion centred round an official organ being issued by the P.E.P.M.A., and it was decided to lend support to this, provided it did not take trade advertisements, and gave opportunities for free expression of opinion. Retief Wanted by January Next. Mr. Wilkinson then made a suggestion that they should endeavour to get the tax removed from seats priced at one shilling and under from January next. In his speech he remarked on the present serious condition of the trade, and said if they had ‘to wait until April, when the next Budget would be presented, it would be worse. He suggested that they should, with the other organisations, jointly form a deputation to interview the Chancellor on this matter. He said that if the industry was in such a bad way that the majority of Parliamentary candidates had promised support to the Tax Abolition Campaign, it was in a bad enough way to deserve and get immediate relief. If they could get the relief he suggested, it would enable them to carry on until the Budget came along, when the other prices could be dealt with. With such relief given they would be enabled to proceed with necessary repairs, ete,, and thus employ more labour, and help to alleviate unemployment, which they knew existed so largely. He was prepared to employ four more people as soon as the relief suggested was given, and if everybody followed on the same lines it would help matters. It was proposed and seconded that this matter be referred to the existing Tax Abolition Committee. Google Contract Signing. The subject of the simultaneous signing of contracts was again raised by Mr. Stansfield, of Stockport, who wanted to know what had been done in the matter. He said this was the only business where a contract was signed this month, and you got the counterpart ext month, if at all. The matter was freely discussed, and eventually it was decided to appoint a sub-committee to deal with it, and, if necessary, to frame a contract. Messrs. Stansfield, Loader, Brearley, Rowe, Linsdell, Harrison, and Yorke were elected to the sub-committee, and their first meeting will have taken place before the appearance of this report. The next general meeting was fixed for Tuesday, December 19. CHANGES AT THE DEANSGATE, MANCHESTER. CHANGE. in the management of the Deansgate Picture House, one of Manchester's most popular city kinemas, has just occurred, and the reins are now in the hands of Mr. W. H. Knowles, managing director, with Mr. C. Bireh, who has been for a considerable period identified with the Deansgate, as his assi-tant manager. A Keen Manager. Other changes are to take place there during the next few wevks, for the entire interior of the place is being transformed, arrangements being well in hand for the redecoration of the walls und eciling in an exquisite style, the recarpeting of the floors. and the reseating of both the auditorium and the balcony. Furthermore, the orchestra is to be augmented, and there is a general indication that Mr. Knowles intends to bring the atmospheré of the Deansgate right up-to-date, and to ensure the maximum of comfort and pleasure for his patrons. He is particularly keen on having pictures properly projected, and for that reason has arranged for a completely new electrical equipment for the hall, and the installation of two Kalee projectors. The transformation should be complete within the next few weeks, and without the hall having to be closed. These matters have been under consideration for some time, and the experts engaged have evolved ways and means of doing their various jobs without necessitating a suspension of business. Popular as a Trade Show Venue. Mr. Knowles savs he is out to win back for the Deansgate the popularity as a trade show venue which it once enjoyed, and every attention will be given in connection with premieres held there in the future to ensure the screening of new pictures in the best possible manner. At one time, it will be remembered. more trade shows were held at the Deansgate than elsewhere. its central situation mecting the convenience of renters and exhibitors.