The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (May-Jun 1923)

May 19, 1923. THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 4&1 C.E.A. GENERAL COUNGH. IN: NEWCASTLE —Continued. of members of the Council, and of every member of the Association, was the absolute necessity for unity of thought and action, and a general endeavour to sink any' personal differences that might exist. They could not lope to be successful unless that spirit animated the Council. every branch, and every member of every branch. In the trade papers they might read expressions and views by certain members which cast some doubt upon the existence of unity, but he was quite sure that. such views were not expressed with the idea of causing dissension, but in order to air opinions in a forcible manner through trade channels. He realised that during his presidency he was not likely to please everybody, but he hoped that dissensions would he ayoided, for ha would do his best to please the majority and allow as much latitude and free discussion as possible, If the members would only bear in mind the position of a president of an Association like their’s—representative of so many views from every part of the country—they would perhaps realise that his was not an easy proposition to handle. and they would accord him a degree of latitude and forget anything which they might regard as a little offence. Then they would all be able to pull together. Remedy for High Prices. When he took up the position of president he intimated that he was going to comment upon the priee of films whenever occasion presented itself, and so far he had missed no opportunity of expressing his views on the point. Every time he repeated that the remedy was in the hands of the exhibitors. If the exhibitors would try and meet their fellow-exhibitors, and say country paid ridiculous prices the whole thing would ultimately reflect itself upon the. business of everybody. Work of Tax Committee. The work of Mr. Dixon Scott, as local secretary in connection .with the Entertainments Tax Abolition Committee and in other matters, received a special tribute from the President, who congratulated the Northern Branch upon having such men connected with it. In London they always felt that in the North there was a solid branch, composed of men of wisdom who never came forward with ridiculous propositions, and who would always consider things with sane and sound judgment. He wished they could say the same of all the branches, but he was satisfied that a great and general improvement was taking place. Thewhole trade was becoming more and more united in tackling the various problems that confronted the industry, and with unity of action and sound judgment they: must win through inthe long run. He concluded with anappeal for unity and fair-mindedness. Given those assets, the Association in his opinion, had a great future before it. (Applause.) Vice-President’s Thanks. ; Mr. J. H. Dovener (Liverpool), vice-president, also returned thanks, and commended the lead of the Northern Branch in inviting the Council to its city without providing a ‘‘ big spread ’’ for them. The expense formerly attached to an invitation to the Council was a serious matter for some of the branches to face, and it was a great barrier to them sending invitations to the General Council. He. hoped that. those branches would now feel themselves at liberty to invite the that although they were in opposition they could still work _,{‘ouncil to go amongst them. The speaker further congratulated together in harmony without going out of their way to cut one another's throats, the present position would solve itself before many months liad passed. He realised that it was purely a domestic matter, and many had asked why the Association -had bothered itself with such a question, The Association was trying to promote a better feeling because, although it was a domestic matter as between exhibitor and renter, if a few people in the _ fhe Northern Branch upon the intelligence and wisdom it at all times showed in everything connected with. the Association. He thanked them for nominating him for the vice-presidency, and added that he would always bave a warm place in hie heart for the Northern Branch after the surprise honour they had conferred upon him, and he would at all times endeavour to justify the confidence they had placed in him. (Applause.) BUSINESS AT THE EFORE the proceedings commenced Mr. William Carr, B chairman of the Northern Branch, briefly and with much cordiality welcomed the General Council to Newcastle. New Delegates, The president extended a cordial weleome to Mr.. Arthur 8. Albin, vice-president of the Seottish Branch, to Councillor George Archibald (Scottish Branch), and to Mr. L. Wacks (Leicester Branch), delegate. elected since the Annual Meeting for vacaneies oceurring in the branches. Obituary. The President said that the Association and exhibitors generally were poorer by the death of Mr, H. Tindle, an ex-treasurer of the Northern Branch, who had 8 long connection with the eutertainment trade, and in the*past had been: associated with Sir Harry Lauder and Mr. R. Thornton, 'of Moss Empires. A very active member, Mr, F. B. Doré, treasurer of the Kent Branch, had also died within the last month. Councillor Kuight, of Lancashire, had passed away after a meeting held to form a West Lancashire Branch.. “Members were to express their deepest sympathy to the relatives in their sad losses, All the members stood. | cCOUNCTS MEETING Mr. Morrison’s Recovery. The President said how delighted everybody was. ‘to seo Mr. Morrison among them again and how pleased they were to see him looking so well. “(Loud applause.) His presence “and advice had been missed during his absence, and it was the hope of everyone that Mr. Morrison would enjoy an uninterrupted measure of good health. 7 A large number. of members of .the Northern Branch who attended were invited. to remain, not taking any official part in the proceedings. Resignation of Mr. Ritson Bennell. : Mr. Ritson Bennell wrote stating that he was accepting a position with a renting house, and, although he was remaining a member of the C.E.A., he asked the General Council to accept his resignation as one of its members. : 4 The President said this resignation would be accepted with very great regret, as one of his ambitions had been ito see Mr. Ritson Bennell in the presidential chair. The general secretary was asked to. write accepting the resignation with regret.