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

24 THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. June 16, 1923. Tax Debate in the House. Mr. Maclean's Amendment Defeated. WO amendments to the Finance Bill, which dealt with | the duty on kinematograph films, were reached on Tuesday evening last in the House of Commons. The first stood in the names of Messrs. Whiteley, Robert Jones, Mardy Jones, and Frederick Jowett, and the second in the name of Nei] Maclean. When they were reached, however, the Deputy Chairman suggested that as their effect was practically the same that one of them should be taken. Consequently, Mr. Neil Maclean moved that, after the word duties [the new import duties], the following words should be inserted: ‘ Except the duties on kinematograph films developed or negatives imported for the purpose of the exhibition of or production of pictures or other optical effect by means of a kinematograph or other similar apparatus."* Mr. Maclean. found himself able not merely to argue against the continuance of the import duty upon films, but also to put before the House the case against the Entertainments Tax. Although the amendment was defeated, it drew from Sir W: Joynson Hicks an admission that he would consult with the Solicitor General to see if it wére possible to exempt educational films from the operation of the Import Duty. Cannot Justify the Duty. Mr. Short (Wednesbury) said: I have always been interested having played an’ active part, in the promotion of social services, and I have noticed during the last few years the moral and intellectual value of the kinema so far as our people are concerned, and also, of course, that it is a very admirable entertainment for the benefit of the people. I have noticed a change, and a growing change, for the better in consequence of the kinema in the habits of our people. My mind goes back a few years to the days before the kinema came in, when the mothers were compelled to remain at home, as there were no entertainments except at excessive prices, and frequently they remained at home while their husbands, having finished work, went out by themselves, but, owing to the inception of the kinema, what‘ever may be said regarding some of the things that are presented—and I know that everything is not just as it might be— I believe that, generally speaking, it has had a good effect, and we now see in our great provincial towns and cities mothers and husbands going out together in the eveving, spending a few hours at the kinema, and receiving not merely enjoyment, but, in many cases, instruction as well. Indeed, there is a great improvement in the moral outlook and the moral habits of our people in consequenee. . . . As a result of extensive trade depression, as a result of protracted unemployment, I find that kinemas are unable to carry on, and T learned the other day, in my own constituency, that one was closing down, throwing out the few people it employed and once again limiting the possibilities of the workers and their families having a little enjoyment at cheap and rational prices. This duty increases—and no one ean deny it—the difficulties in the way of kinema existence and to the extent that it does that, especially if the extent be injurious by the closing down of kinemas, and the harmful effect be not commensurate or be not met by the volume of revenue received from the duty, then the duty is to be condemned, as we condemn it to-night. 2... Can we justify a duty of this character? The time has arrived, as I have said before in the course of these debates, when we, the Opposition, seeing that we are being met with a negative policy in every direction, must be more severe in our opposition. This understanding is all right in its way, but it cannot prevent a member of the Committee from exercising his: rights on behalf of his constituents, and unless the Government, through the Solicitor-General, from whim 1 um expecting something good on this question, are prepared to make some concession on this very important matter, which is so closely, associated with the social life of the community, as far as I am concerned, I shall make one in joining in a more vigorou! attack upon the Government and in prol mging these proceedings, Appeal for Educational Films. My. Paling said :.There has been a greut deal of tall to-night about the question of motor-cars, watches. clock<, ete. May suggest that kinematograph films are not open to the samey objection? Motor-cars and the rest of the things can be pro duced in this country to any amount, |iit I think nobody will say that all tho films which it is desirable that we should see, particularly from an educational point ol view, can be produced: in this country. We want’ the films to range over the whole world. If the educational effect of these films is to be the’ greatest, we must have them from everywhere. You m we could send English companies to the places to produc: bit that would be very expensive, and it would not compete with the others. From the educational point uf view, IT think there is a case for this which cannot be argued about any other articles which have beer’ mentioned to-night. As « member of an Education’ Committee I saw,-some time ayo, an exhibition by certain of these peoplé who are making these machines, They came down to that Education Committee to show them what could be done, and every member of the Conunittee admitted that there were huge possibilities in this work in the schools of this country. We were given an exhibition which had a very good effect on every member of the Committee, «nd T believe we were all convinced that it would be a very good thiny indeed if these kinematograph films were brought inte the schools more and more, and used in an educational sense. I still hope the Solicitor-General will see his way to make remission of this very sinall duty compared with the Revenue of wu country. Mr. Maclean’s amendment was lost by 71 voles, MORE CLEVER SHOWMANSHIP AT THE GLOBE, ACTON. FN pursuance of his policy of giving to filmis which lend themselves fo it a special presentation, (uptain Gillet put ou a very clever prologue for ‘* The Voice Fram the Minaret." which-was exhibited at his theatre last we Tt having been established that their patrons appreciate very wreatly the trouble that has heen gone to on their behalf, the management male an even more ambitious effort in this direction during the run of Norma Talmudge's latest picture. The prologue opens with » Muezzin appearing at the door o! the minaret at sunset. Below him stretehes the towers and roofs of an Eastern town. As the sun sinks he intones the cull to evening prayer, and while the twilight dipens on unseen choir chants the responses to his inyoeutivon. The darkness deepens, while from the houses of the town a myriad lizhts appear. As the chant ceascs the lights are lowered and the first reel of the picture is thrown on the screen.