SUBSIDY SCHEME

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 28, 14 November 1935, Page 7

SUBSIDY SCHEME

EMPLOYMENT FOR MUSICIANS. ANNOUNCEMENT BiY MINISTER. l (Per Press Association). ' CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 13. Full details ofa scheme to take unemployed musicians from the ranks 9f relief workers and find t‘hem work 111 their own calling in theatre orchestras subsidised by the Unemployment Board is announced in a statement which the Minister for Employment (the Hon. S. G. Smith) issued to-night. The scheme has now so far advanced in the city that the first orchestra of unemployed musicians comprising 12 men and six women had its first practice in a city theatre ”co-night. The scheme is of especial interest because it marks the first occasion on which the Unemployinent‘ Board has found work for unemployed women. The Minister’s statement, after saying 'that women are generally regarded as essential to an orchestra, states that the new scheme will make provision for their employment. The following are conditions governing employment under the scheme : The term of engagement shall, be not less than one year. Orchestras are preferably to be composed of musicians~ already” registered as unemployed. Registration before an engagement in an orchestra will be necessary. Theatrevproprietors will ,be réqunred to provide free music scores, to :p-ay each subsidised musician a weekly amount additional to the amount of the subsidy from the" Unemployment Board, and to pay the conductor an agreed amount in excess of the rate to performers. . The Board’s subsidy for each subsidised appointee will vary according to family responsibilities, and in.the case of single men and women will be not less than 30s a week. “Inquiries so far indicate that the scheme is likely to be availed of at Auckland, New Plymouth, Napier, Hastings, Wangarnui, Masterton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Timaru, Gama-rll, Dunedin, Greymouth and 'lnvercargill,” the statement con~ eludes. '