Kinematograph year book (1929)

154 The Kinematograph Year Book. France, 108, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, W.C.i ; J. S. Snell, Shipcote Hall, Gateshead-on-Tyne; T. Thompson, "Airedale," Linthorpe, Middlesbrough; F. W. Morrison, Greenbank, Whickham, Co. Durham ; W. R. Marshall, n . Bath Lane, Newcastle-on-Tyne. North Staffs. Branch. — W. F. Washington, Empire Theatre, Longton. North Western Branch. — Councillor R. Duncan French, 14 , North John Street, Liverpool ; W. C. Scott, 9, Cambridge Road, Waterloo ; Alderman E. Trounson, J. P., 1, Park Road, Southport ; F. W. Locke, "Sunnyside," Judge's Drive, Newsham Park, Liverpool. Notts and Derby Branch. — E. C. Shapeero, Federation Chambers, Wheeler Gate, Nottingham ; J. Pollard, Atkins Lane, Mansfield, Nottingham ; T. Wright, Goldsmith Street Picture House, Nottingham. Portsmouth Branch. — H. J. Cook, Shaftesbury Hall, Kingston Road, Portsmouth. Scottish Branch. — R. Bennell, 81, Dunlop Street, Glasgow; L. Dickson, Hippodrome, Bo'ness; H. J. Green, 182, Trongate, Glasgow ; G. Urie Scott, 95, Renfield Street, Glasgow ; A. S. Albin, Regent Picture House, Abbey Mount, Edinburgh ; J. S. Dunbar, St. Andrew's Square Picture House, Clyde Street. Edinburgh ; A. B. King, 95, Renfield Street, Glasgow ; E. H. Bostock, 69, Dalhousie Street, Glasgow. Sheffield Branch. — W. T. Gent, 127, Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield ; I. Graham, 37, Collegiate Crescent, Sheffield. Southern Midlands Branch. — W. N. Blake, The Empire, Bedford ; W. F. J. Hewitt, Palace, Wellingborough. South Wales and Mon. — H. Victor Davis, " Elvaston," Newbridge, Mon. ; J. E. Taylor, 5, Milbourne Chambers, Merthyr Tydfil ; A. B. Watts, 15 Windsor Place, Cardiff ; J. E. Sprague, The Palladium, Pontypridd. Sussex Branch. — R. E. Richards, Picturedrome, Langney Road, Eastbourne. West Lanes. Branch. — Harry Hargreaves, Palladium, Morecambe. Solicitor. — Norman Hart, B. A., Broadmead House, Panton Street, Haymarket, S.W. HISTORY OF ITS FORMATION. The Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association of Great Britain and Ireland was registered under the Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 191 3, on the 25th day of January, 191 7. and subsequently made a complete alteration of Rules, which were registered on the 3rd day of May, 191 7. This organisation replaced the Association established in January, 191 2, as a company, liability of which was limited by guarantee under the Consolidation Act. The original association had attained a very large measure of success in the five years of its existence, having placed more than half the existing Kinema theatres in the kingdom upon its roll of membership. In more senses than one, however, it was a limited organisation. To protect its members was its chief object, but its constitution being governed by the Companies Consolidation Act, 1908, made the attainment of its purposes always difficult and mostly dangerous. Although, by dexterous steering, actual collision with the law was avoided, such a keen lookout had to be maintained that the ship made fewer knots than exhibitors thought good sailing. Further, although the constitution of the Limited Association was intended to be democratic, it was impossible under the Consolidation Act properly to realise such intention to the extent which the Branches very naturally deemed essential. Registration under the Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1913, has not only made the organisation completely democratic, but it has set the hands of the governing body free to use measures for the protection and uplift of the business which will be effective and which will gain strength with every new theatre enrolled. OBJECTS. The objects of the Association are : — ■ (a) To promote good will and a good understanding between all Proprietors of Kinemas and other places of entertainment, and between them and such persons as work for them, and between them and the Manufacturers and Renters of Films. (b) To provide a fund for the protection of the interests of the Members of the Association, to relieve them when in distress and to protect them from oppression. (c) To secure unity of action among Proprietors of Kinemas and other places of entertainment.