The film daily year book of motion pictures (1935)

■■puolb" ui txliibitois and tlit like, trom exerting undue pressure, or using unfair means m contracting lor supplies ol films.) The quota tor the year ending September 30, 1935, compels ail film exchanges doing business in New Zealand, unless specially exempted from this provision, to acquire 15 per cent of British quota films. (That is films over 3,000 feet.) Most foreign companies or companies importing foreign films, also import British quota hlms, in order to make provision for the exhibitors' quota requirements. Kecently, however, three American exchanges were specially exempted from this provision. Censorship — The Cinematograph I'ilni Act, 1928, provides that the approval of the censor shall not be given witli respect to any hlms or to any part of a film which in bis opinion depicts any matter that is contrary to public order or decency. Regulations for the censorship of posters and other advertising matter were issued September 29, 1930, under the Act, and are still effective. Ouring the year ending March 31, 1934, 2,010 films of all classes of a total length of 5,280,360 feet were examined by the censors. Of this number 32 were rejected in the first instance, and loo were passed sunject to excisicms, while 194 were passed with recommendations that they were more suitable for adult audiences. Of the 32 films rejected, 25 were of American origin. Ten appeals were lodged against the censors' decisions, and in three cases, the decisions were reversed, while in seven they were upheld. Competition — During the year ended March 31, 1934, British quota films numbered 144, with a length of 1,001,360 feet, and non-quota films, 534, and 544,350 feet in length. Foreign quota films totaled 362, with a length of 2,733,940 feet, and non-quota films 968 with a length of 1,000,710 feet. The above totaled 508 quota films, with a length of 3,735.300 f».et, and nonquota films 1,502, and 1,545,060 feet in length. The countries of origin of the quota films were as follow : United States, 359 ; Great Britain, 144; Australia, 2; Russia, 2; Germany, 1. The British quota films increased by 30, as compared with last year. As three companies — British Dominion Films, Ltd., British Empire Films, Ltd., and Australian and New Zealand Pictures, Ltd., import only British films, and inasmuch as several theaters are screening or about to screen British films only, it is anticipated that more than 25 per cent of the films shown in New Zealand during 1934 will be of British origin. Copyright Relations — Copyright Act of 1909, by proclamation February 9, 1917, extended May 25, 1922. (A complete summary of the copyright laws of New Zealand is on file in the Commercial L^ws Division of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Department of Commerce, Washington, D. C.) Subsequent to that date it is interesting to note that the question of copyright is being investigated in Australia by the Commonwealth Government, particularly as it applies to the fees now payable by exhibitors on songs, etc.. through the Australian Authors' Rights Protective Association, a branch of which functions similarly in New Zealand, claiming alifiliation and the official representation for the Authors' Rights Protective Association of Great Britain and through them the Authors' Rights Protective Association in the United States. As a consequence of a recommendation of a Royal Commission of Enquiry in Australia, an amendment to the Copyright Act was passed, which provided for compulsory arbitration in cases of dispute between the Performing Rights Association, and any other organization or interest. In Australia and New Zealand, the Performing Rights Association intimated last May that it was its intention to issue performing licenses upon payment of a fee of Id per f 1 of theater box office revenues. This was resisted in Australia, and arbitration under the new legislation was resorted to. Meanwhile, in NewZealand, the Motion Picture Exhibitors' Association made an agreement with the Performing Rights Association whereby it secured a 20 per cent rebate for its members, and a proviso that in the event the Australian arbilialion lesulicd in a lower rate than Id per il being lixcd, the same lower rate woulu immediately be etlective in New Zealand. Production — Motion pictures produced in New ^.eaiaud amount to a negligible quantity, tnt i..ui„ge expunea in 1933 hciiig .iJ.M.i:/ tei., « mi a value of £355, most of which lootagc was lo millimeter publicity films of the New Zuaiaiul Tourist Department. in addition, a smaii quantity was newsreel film. Vv iihin the past lew months, a company has been organized in New Zealand under the corporate name of Sound Film Productions, Ltd., 10 engage in the manufacture ol motion pictures. Jin particular, tlie company plans to produce newsreels and pictures depiciing the scenic beauties ol the Dominion. At the present time, it IS engaged in the production of its initial feature nim, entitled "Uown on the Farm", which, incidentally, will be the first feature talking picture ever made in New Zealand. Taxes — Under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1928, the taxable income derived by any person from the business ol renting hlms shall be deemed to be 12i'2 per cent of the gross recci|jts derived from such business. This became operative as trom April 1, 1928. The rate payable is on a sliding scale, the maximum now being 4s. 6d in the £ 1 plus 30 per cent. In September, 1930, the Film Hire Tax was passed, tne gross receipts from the renting of foreign films alter allowing a deduction ot all expenses paid in New Zealand and an amount equal to lAy^ per cent of the gross receipts derived trom the renting of sound films, being taxed 25 per cent. The raie on British films is 10 per cent. The duty of Id. per foot, payable on all foreign importations ot films, was cancelled as from July 1, 1930. The advantages of this system ol taxation were : (a) That it was directly in proportion to the net receipts from and theretore the value of film. (b) That it did not restrict the importation of film in any way. (c) That it was oiiy payable after the monies were received by the renter, and thereby reduced the actual capital required for the operation of the Business. (d) That it came into immediate operation and the Government derived revenue from the films already imported which would otherwise have escaped taxation, it is necessary to secure a renter's license tu operate m New Zealand. The only change made by the recently enacted legislation in the method of taxation was that fixing 12}4 per cent to the gross receipts of renters as an income for taxation purposes. Heretofore, the taxable income was to be not less than 12}4 per cent of the gross receipts, and in some cases renters were charged at a higher rate than this percentage. Theaters — Theaters and halls in New Zealand where film exhibition insurance has been taken out totalled 366. These are divided as follow : Screening not more than six nights weekly, 188. Screening not more than four nights weekly, 84. Screening not more than two nights weekly, 94. Sound — 366. All theaters in the !)■ .niinioii are now wired for sound. Imports from U. S. A. — 1933— Positive sound 3,122,525 ft. $57,293 Negative sound 14,708 ft. 200 1934 — First Ten Months: Positive sound 2,779,372 ft. $49,508 Negative sound 7,144 ft. 483 DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS WELLINGTON Australia & New Zealand Pictures Limited, De Luxe Buildings, Courtenay Place. British & Dominion Films (N. Z.) Ltd., Druids Chambers, Lambton Quay. British Empire Films (N. Z.) Ltd., Martin's Buildings, Courtenay Place. 1067