HOURLY RATES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20024, 4 September 1930, Page 16

HOURLY RATES.

PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS. JUDGE'S SUGGESTION. ITHE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, September 3. While Frank Egerton, secretary of the Auckland Musicians' Union, was giving evidence in the Arbitration Court during the hearing of the application for a new award for musicians, his Honour Mr Justice Frazer remarked that they were making conditions and fixing wages for a kind of employment that did not exist.. He suggested that some means might be devised by which the unemployed musicians might secure employment.

Mr A. W. Croskery (agent for the Union) submitted that the Court should leave that aspect to the Association of the Workers and the employers. In cross-examination, the witness said that he was not employed as a musician at present, having been unemployed since talkies came in. In the last twelve months he had had about twentyfive engagements. Some musicians liad become canvassers, while others were working on Public Works reliet jobs. Fifty per cent, of the musicians employed in Auckland before the talkies were practically dependent solely on music to-day. Increased wages or shorter hours would not better the position. Employment was wanted.

A Hopeless Sign. His Honour: I understand in Australia musicians are starting to come m aeain. I think quite a large number of people, myself included, do certainly get tired of all this "canned" music, and would like to have a little orchestral music. Most of the old ones do eniov a good scenic picture with sotno music. It is only a matter of coming to details. I think most of us get tired listening to talkies for whole of the evening, especially with a Yankee accent, though that is being improved now. Would-it not be possible to have an orchestra one hour eV Witneif'What about "God Save the K His ? Honour: The talkies could play "God Save the King" or you could start the programme off with it. suggested the orchestra might be em ployed for an overture for a silent picture in the first part of the programme and for an entr'acte. The witness said that it was considered at Auckland, but they had to pay the orchestra for 2J hours. His Honour: It would not keep a man, but as part time employment it would be better for the musicians and better for the public. Personally I like some of the talkies, but is not hair a loaf better than no bread? The public might support the idea.

Hourly Payment Suggested. In the Course of evidence given by the employers, L. D. Austin, a former conductor of the King's and De Luxe Orchestras, said that after the talkies came the De Luxe Orchestra was reinstated over one Christmas period, and for one week played six minutes each night and received a full week's wage. At no time did their performance exceed 20" minutes for each programme. The management could not see its way to pay full rates, and a proposal was made to the Musicians' Union to accept less money. They promised to consider the matter, but nothing more was heard about it.

Witness suggested that the difficulty in regard to wages could be overcome by. instituting an hourly payment of 6s 8 d for the first hour and a quarter (which would enable the entr'acte to be played) and 5s for the second. If that were done he knew one management that would employ twelve musicians and that would allow of other musiciajis being employed. Members of the Union had told him that they did not want to appear in Court in case they should be regarded as "blacklegs." Witness said he was not a member of the union.

Theatre Manager's Views. Herbert P. Wood, supervisor of Kemball Theatres and manager of the De Luxe Theatre, said that as far as the Do Luxe Theatre was concerned Mr Kemball had given Mr Austin an undertaking that he was prepared to engage an orchestra under the conditions mentioned. Other theatres might follow suit.

A. R. Shepard, general manager, J. C. Williamson's Films, said in the eleven theatres he controlled in New Zealand there were no orchestras. He thought that theatres would employ musicians under a scheme, as - proposed by Mr Anstin. Witness had suggested that the musicians should accept half, rates. To his Honour the witness said that he thought "flesh and blood" performances would come back, not only on the stage, but on the stage in picture theatres in the form of "stage presentations." Practical Award Wanted. At a later period during the hearing his Honour remarked to the employees' representative: "What is the good of an award on paper! Cannot we do something practical!" • Mr Croskery: You should leave that to us.

His Honour: We would like to help you. Mr Croskery said that' he would consult with the men to-morrow in regard to the suggestion that had been made. His Honour remarked that if anything was agreed on it would be for only 11 hours. Anything more would have to be paid for at full rates.