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Thanks are due to Messrs. R. Girling-Butcher and F. Johnson, whose wide experience was embodied in a valuable report which formed the basis of the Committee's deliberations. Other departmental officers associated with proceedings also merit the Committee's appreciation. The work of Committee Clerk was ably carried out, first by Mr. J. G. Turkington,. and after the adjournment by Mr. A. J. McDonald. Mr. D. M. Wilson, Private Secretary to the Minister of Industries and Commerce,, rendered valuable assistance. A special word of appreciation must be accorded Mr. R. Hardie Boys, counsel for the Crown. His handling of the evidence and skilful analysis of the points adduced played a most important part in all aspects of the Committee's work. R. M. Macfarlane, Chairman.

APPENDIX MEMORANDUM OF NEW ZEALAND FILM INDUSTRY, 1934-48 1. For the purposes of the proposed inquiry the report of the parliamentary Committee of 1934 forms a convenient reference as to conditions existing up to that time. The memorandum attached to that report sets out the relationship in the industry of producer, renter, and exhibitor. No great change has taken place in this relationship. Production in the United States of America remains mainly in the hands of the same major concerns, which are still represented in New Zealand by subsidiary renting companies. Production in Britain was not affected by the war to the extent which might have been expected, despite the fact that more than half the studios were requisitioned for war purposes. There was a progressive drop in the number of films until 1942, but from then onwards a fairly rapid recovery took place, even during the war years. There is to-day a considerable advance on the pre-war years in the quality of films coming to New Zealand from British studios. 2. What is probably the most outstanding feature in the British film industry during the past few years and one which has had its repercussions in New Zealand is the emergence of Mr. J. Arthur Bank as the outstanding personality in all branches of the post-war industry. Mr. Rank, through various companies in which he holds majority interests, now controls two of the three major theatre circuits in Britain, the renting company (General Film Distributors, Ltd.) which distributes most of the British films, and more than 50 per cent, of the British production studios. In one of the British theatre circuits he is associated with the American Fox Film Corporation and, in America, with Universal Films. Through his other circuit theatre concern (Odeon) he has purchased extensive interests in chain-theatre companies in Australia (Union Theatres)"and New Zealand (Kerridge-Odeon).. Further reference to the latter is made below. In New Zealand the films produced under his control are still distributed by Fox and exhibited by Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., under an agreement made prior to his purchase of the New Zealand exhibition interests. The only other major British producer of thS pre-war years—-Associated British Picture Corporation (originally British International Pictures, Ltd.) —is now linked financially with Warners (American) both in the third major theatre circuit and in its British production studios. Most of the latter were taken over for war requirements and the company has not yet resumed production on the pre-war scale.

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