MUSICIANS' BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 171, 19 July 1907, Page 3

MUSICIANS' BILL.

(To; the Editor.) Sir,— l notice in to-night's paper that | the Wellington musicians have decided not to support the Musicians'.Bill at pre-, sent before Parliament. I feel sure that a large number of Auckland musicians -will decide to act likewise .when they fully realise the contents of this •Uamarkable document. Through the courtesy of Mr. P. E. Baume, M.HJR-, I have received a copy of the bill. The objects of the bill are to provide forthe registration of musicians, for the regulation of instruction in music in New Zealand, and the admission of musicians to the Society. This sounds very good and noble, but these qualities.fade away on analysing its contents. The Act sets out to obtain practically unlimited powers over present and future musicians in the colony.

A council will be set up to order everything and do everything. Paragraph G, Section 34, empowers the council to appoint examiners to examine candidates for registration, etc. At the

present time students enter our university or come before other examining bodies to qualify as musicians. After their education is complete, it would, in addition under the bill, be necessary to apply to the Society of Musicians -to be admitted as musicians, and this body would have power, under the Act, to refuse or admit any candidate.

The fact of registration examiners being in existence would naturally attract students towards them in preference to other examining bodies, as they are really deciding examiners. Comparatively few musicians in the colony hold diplomas, and to relegate this power of deciding the colony's musicians to examiners who may or may not be qualified is certainly a dangerous experiment. Section 21 says: "All members of the Society shall be entitled to describe themselves as such, and shall be entitled to use after their names the letters "Keg. Mus." or "1.5.M." respectively.

Several hundred names have been enrolled in the Musicians' Society at present in existence, and according to Act 3 these all become members of the new Society without further trouble.

This latter innovation and use of the letters IJS.M. is likely to turn the musical profession into ridicule, as these letters are only lent to the members on condition that their annual subscription ot one guinea is paid, and may be withdrawn on non-payment. This is what may be called a sort of "accommodating diploma," on account of the uses to which it may be turned. It may be used to give the impression to' the public that the holders are genuine musicians, and it also may be used as a lever to call up the annual subscription. Then there are the pains and penalties clauses for misconduct and' want of professional conduct. The council is to have full power to define what these may consist of; and for breaches under these clauses one may be fined any sum not exceeding £2(L There are clause which give us power to appeal to a judge of the Supreme Court, should we feel down-trod-den.

' For this we are truly thankful There are some good features in the bill which certainly provides resting places for obsolete musicians, such as the position of Registrar-General, registration examiner, secretaries, .clerks, etc., all of whom the council have power to appoint and

Clause 8 is pleasant reading, as it holds out promises of trips to Christchurch, for.delegates, arranged-at a comvenient time of the year."

Under the Act the council.have full power to buy land, build offices, raise mortgages, etc., and also may appeal to Parliament later for further powers if it is so desired.

I A Society of Musicians to look after the welfare of its members is a good ; and useful institution, but when it seeks by Act of Parliament to obtain unlimited powers over future musicians, then that_ is quite another thing. I trust the musicians of this city -will carefully study the contents of this bill, and emphatically protest against any legislation that may hamper or interfere with the liberties at present enjoyed, and may retard the real advancement of music in this town.—l am, etc., S. ADAMS