MUSICIANS' CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 20, 25 January 1927, Page 5

MUSICIANS' CONFERENCE.

REGISTRATION DESIRED. lhe fourth annual conference of the New Zealand Society of Professional Teachers of Music was opened in Unity Hall this morning. Mr. Kobt. Parker, of Wellington, presided, and there was au attendance of about 50. including delegates from various societies in the Dominion.

In his address, the president, in reviewing the work daue during the pa?c twelve said that there " were people v. lio were inclined to pooh-pooh the annual conference, but even if the talks and reading of papers proved interesting, then the conference was worth while. The primary object was to bring' together the best members of the societ v and gradually eliminating the worthless members. Ail should aim to raise the status of the society, and to accomplish this it was necessary to hav« unanimity of action. It was the banding together of the members which gava weight and importance to the profession. and by doing this it was only a question of time when the profession would be placed on a proper footing. The most important item at present, was the Registered Musicians' Bill, which they hoped to get passed this year—if not., then next year. Tb# <Ely way to get the bill through wa> by t'# members of Uie society making vigorw* | efforts, gettitj into touch with the Par« liamentary reSrf-esentatives of their districts. The bill was in the best interests of all because it asked that only, those who were fully qualified to teach would have their names published on a registered list. This would not mean that others would not, be permitted to teach but it would inform the public which teachers were fully qualified. At present much money was wasted through inefficient teaching.

The Hon. G. Eowlds welcomed the delegates to Auckland, and said lie hoped the results of the conference would help to get for music the true appreciation it deserved. He looked forward to the day when there would ha established a university of music, bur, pending that, he wanted to see mu-ic advance throughout the whole of th<s Dominion. Matters are to be discussed to-day or to-morrow deal with the qualifications necessary for admission to the affiliated societies, for guidance concerning the exhibition and employment of diplomas and letters affixed to names, discussion of remits from societies, reading of papers by members and general business.