STAGE HANDS' WAGES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19970, 3 July 1930, Page 6

STAGE HANDS' WAGES.

PRODUCER SEEKS REDUCTION. I. A dispute concerning wages for stage mechanists has arisen between the Theatrical Employee*' Union and Mr Richard White, who is acting with his brother, Mr Eriu Edgley, and the Williamson management in the production of the musical comedy "Love Lies,", which is to open at Bis Majesty's I Theatre next week (states the Auckland "Herald"). Mr S. Dibb, secretary of the union, has refused a request from Mr White for a reduction in. union wages in the ease of two men, to be engaged for the Dominion tour. "The' present state of the theatrical business makes a reduction in overhead expenses imperative," Mr Whits (aid. "In view of

the fact that no largo theatrical company has I visited New Zealand for many months, w ] naturally wish to reduce risks to a minimum ■ It is a costly matter to transport a largo company across tho Tasman and tour it i through New Zealand, but with 'Love Lies' < the complete Australian ehow will bo brought ! across. 1 "However, in .view of the worldwide do- : pression m the theatre business and the fact that 'Love Lies' would be the first pretentious musical comedy after a lengthy in- i terval given over almost entirely to talkiupictures, it was decided that expenses woul3 i have to be cut in some direction, especially as > there were be reductions in admission prices. The artists realised the position and quite voluntarily decided to accept cuts in 1 their salaries. This applies to everyone.. ' from the principals down to the ballet cirls and also to my brother and myself ' Accordingly, I wrote to Mr Dibb. explaining the matter fully and suggesting that , in view of the necessity for keeping the stage alive, union wages might be waived in th« present case until we could tee how

things wore heading. The reduction in n|H I suggested was not great. The award vides for a weekly travelling wage 17s 6d for a first stage mechanist and a second stage mechanist. I suggeste&vflHHß we should employ these men at £7 5s a week respectively, exclusive of overtxPKHnH but I have now received a telegram Dibb stating that full award rates paid. »H|^H "It is all very well for Mr Dibb to ejtMHB members of his union to take only fall wages," Mr White said. "These been out of work for months, and is cases have wives and families to is up to the union to atsist its finding employment in a sensible The wages wo are offering are still quato living wages." — .-.V'li.fimM