PICTURE HOUSES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 252, 23 September 1929, Page 8

PICTURE HOUSES

NEW REGULATIONS. VARIATION INLICENSE FEES. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 23. The Government, keeping in line with the development of the talkie picture business, submitted to tho Governor-' General-in-Council this morning some new regulations to govern films, and His Excellency signified his approval. As from Ist October next film exhibitors are required to screen a quota of British films, and the proposed regulations contain the machinery P r °Y 1 ' sions necessary to give effect to the quota. _ . Provisions regulating in the interests of public safety the storage, transport and projection of film are also to be dealt with. It is stated that the regulations are generally similar to the regulations previously in force under the Explosives and Dangerous Goods Amendment Act, 1920, which cease to have effect with regard to cineinatograoh film on 30th September. _ The principal alterations are m connection with the licensing of travelling picture showmen. They may now take out a license covering a number of halls instead of licensing each separately as under the old regulations. Tho license fees have also been altered so that the major city theatres pay a larger amount, while tho license fees for the small country theatres have been reduced. A special provision is made for the licensing of portable projection machines using a non-inflammable type of film. This will not be subject to the same restrictions as in the case of ordinary film, which is a nitro-collulose product, and can therefore only be used under safeguards. In connection with the inspection of theatres, provision is made for tho inspection of electrical apparatus and equipment by inspectors of electrical wiring appointed under the Electrical Wiremen’s Registration Act. It is stated that the regulations have been considered and approved by the advisory committee appointed under the Act which consisted of representatives of both the renting and exhibiting sections of the industry under the chairmanship of Mr E. Pago, S.M. Referring to-day to tho new regulations, the Minister of Internal Affairs', Hon. P. A. do la Perrelle, stated that some doubt recently had been expressed whether a sufficient supply of British talking films would be produced to enable exhibitors to comply with the Act. He had explained to the House of Representatives during the discussion on the departmental estimates last week that he had recently gone into the matter with British trade representatives. He had been assured that the development of talking pictures was proceeding apace in Britain and it was anticipated that considerably more British film, both talking and silent, than was required by the Aet would be available during tho coming year. He had been informed that the first of the British talking pictures released in London some time ago had proved an outstanding success and that the prospects of the British film industry appeared very bright.