MUSICIANS' FEES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 22, 27 January 1937, Page 25

MUSICIANS' FEES.

I am a musician, and during the Christmas holidays I went to the country for a holiday and to relax. But there was no rest for one so wicked as I, for I was discovered. My fame had preceded. ine, and I was "dragged out" to help play for a dance. I was waited on by the president and the secretary of the local branch, of the New Zealand Labour party and prevailed on to help them out, with.the aid of a local young lady pianist. It was a reception to a member of the Legislative Council and their own member of Parliament. They .were in such a difficulty that I had to go arlong, ' without fee, for . they had emphasised that if they had to pay music it would be a "flop" financially.. . So along I went and held the fort until a Maori string band relieved us. The Maori band was also "buckshee." I have subsequently awakened to realise that T am now a blackleg, or even a worse thing, the name of which I dare not mention, at peril of the law, and the strangest part of it is that it was a branch of the-Labour" party that, caused it. It does seem that coun-; try dances cannot pay if musicians are to be paid award rates, because this branch of the Labour party, with a full knowledge of local conditions and all the facilities of a perfectly organised body, possessing a star attraction in the form of the attendance of the M.L.C. and their member of Parliament, had to get the local young lady musician and myself to disregard all the of unionism and play for love. I know that a country dance would not pay if union rates were paid the musicians. It's quite simple and easy to show this—viz.—an attendance of 200 at prices, gents 2/, ladies 1/6, usually provides a door of £15. The cost of five musicians would be £5 7/6 in fees; travelling expenses, £3; supper, at 6d per head, £5; hall rent, £1 10/; advertising and printing, £2; master of ceremonies, 10/6; result, a debit of £2 8/, which shows that even if you cut down on some of your expenses you will only break evens at best, and that is if you do get 200 to come along, suitable weather, counter attractions, and such, all having to be considered. It will be noted that I have not included the costs of a'Sfcoxoffice attendant, a doorkeeper, a supper room staff, or a "strong arm" man (in case he is needed). All these would have to give free and voluntary service .. . And should they? I read the "challenge" of some musicians in your issue of January 10, but none of them go deep enough into the matter, but as far as they go, they have all, including union secretary himself, established positively the fact that less musicians have been employed since the award was fixed, which means in simple language that a very great number of musicians have been thrown out .of employment in consequence of the award. "KNOCK-KNOCK."