Radio Musicians

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30191, 24 July 1963, Page 6

Radio Musicians

Sir, An interesting account of the loss of earnings by local musicians the other day; but why all of a sudden a great fuss’ Ever since the Broadcasting Service disbanded the YA orchestras some time ago, serious losses of wages have 'been suffered by musicians everywhere. What I want to know is this: are we getting a fair share of the £46,000 promised by J. H. E. Schroder when he was director of the N.Z.8.5.? Judging by the figures quoted in your article, I very much doubt it.—Yours, etc., G. STRING. July 16, 1963.

Sir, —It; is a sorry state of affairs when musicians are sacrificed flor canned music. My earnings have declined considerably over the last 12 months for lack of radio employment. It is no consolation to know that the money is being used to subsidise television. —Yours, etc.,

July 16, 1963. [Th e deputy Director-Gen-eral of Broadcasting (Mr L. R. Sceats) said the amount of money spent by the New Zealand Broadcasting Commission on New Zealand musicians—in the support of the national and concert orchestras and a youth-training scheme, and in the engagement of casual orchestral and other performers—had increased considerably over the last 16 months.!