H.-22

operators as to the action to be taken in case of fire has resulted in a reduction of both the number of fires and the property-loss to less than half of that which occurred prior to the operation of the Act. Regulations. —The Cinematograph Films (Censorship and Registration) Regulations provided that when the Censor issued a certificate recommending a film more especially for adult audiences this fact should be noted in all newspaper advertisements with respect to the exhibition of such film. Considerable difficulty was experienced in enforcing this regulation, and it was found that even where a notification was given in the advertisement it was often so worded that it would not be effective as an indication to the public of the Censor's recommendation. An amendment was therefore made to the regulation providing that in every newspaper advertisement the nature of the Censor's certificate should be indicated in a prescribed wording. The amendment also provided for the exhibition of a notice with respect to the Censor's certificate in the lobby of the theatre over the ticket-box. Inspection. —During the year a fairly complete inspection of cinematograph theatres was carried out. The conditions found were generally satisfactory and an improved standard of projection-room equipment was observed. Examination of the British " quota " records required to be kept under the Act shows thai practically all theatres are exhibiting a much larger proportion of British films than is required by the Act—in most cases at least double. It was found necessary to call the attention of a number of the licensees to the requirements of the amending regulations regarding the notification of the Censor's certificate. In view of the short time these regulations have been in force, however, the compliance was reasonably satisfactory. Licensees' attention has also been called to failures to screen the censorship certificate, which is required by the regulations to be attached to every film. No prosecutions were taken during the year. Advisory Committee under the Cinematograph Films Act. A number of meetings of this Committee were held during the year, and the following matters were discussed : — (1) Censorship of Posters Regulations : Exception was taken by the film renters to the examination of press sheets by the Censor, but after a considerable amount of discussion an agreement was arrived at as to the method of notification of the Censor's decision, which met reasonably the convenience of the trade. (2) Representations were submitted by exhibitors regarding the taxation on rental payments to the suppliers of sound-projection equipment. As a result of the discussion further representation was made to the Right Hon. the Minister of Finance, and the law was amended to meet the position. (3) The proposed amending regulations regarding the notification to the public of the Censor's decision in respect of feature films were discussed at some length, several meetings being held to consider the draft regulations. Some modifications were made, and the Committee approved the regulations in the form in which they were finally gazetted. Censorship. Two thousand and sixty films of all classes, of a total length of 5,213,870 ft., were examined. Of this number, 62 were rejected in the first instance and 230 were passed subject to excisions. An analysis of the work shows—

Quota Films. —This class may be described as " feature " films exceeding 3,000 ft. in length, with the exceptions stipulated in section 27 of the Act. The countries of origin of the 487 quota films are as follow : Great Britain 108, Australia 6, United States of America 369, Germany 3, and Russia 1. The British quota films increased by twenty-four as compared with last year, and an outstanding feature is the inclusion of six films made in Australia. Rejections. —Of the sixty-two films which were rejected, forty-eight were " quota " and fourteen " non-quota." Two of these " quota " films were of British origin, one German, one Russian, and forty-four American, while the whole of the fourteen " non-quota " films were of American origin. Appeals. —The Act prescribes a right of appeal from every decision of the Censor, and the regulations provide, inter alia, for the appointment of a Board of three persons, one of whom shall be chairman. It is further provided that the decision of not less than two members shall be the decision of the Board, and that such decision shall be final. The personnel of the Board at present is— Mr. W. G. Riddell (Chairman), and Mesdames Florence Righton and Katherine Preston. Twenty appeals were considered by the Board, and in eight cases the Censor's decision was reversed, while in twelve cases it was upheld. The Act provides that the approval of the Censor shall not be given with respect to any film or to any part of a film which in his opinion depicts any matter that is contrary to public order or decency, or the exhibition of which would for any other reason be undesirable in the public interest, and observance of this provision is the general rule followed by the Board in coming to its decisions.

3—H. 22.

11

Quota or Long Films. Non-quota or Short Films. Origin. j Number. Length. Number. Length. . . Ft. Ft. British .. .. .. 114 739,360 361 381,980 Foreign .. 373 2,874,390 1,212 1,218,140 487 3,613,750 1,573 1,600,120