Orchestra support

Press, 15 June 1979, Page 4

Orchestra support

Parliamentary reporter

New Zealand cannot and will not be allowed to lose its Symphony Orchestra, the Minister for the Arts (Mt Highet) said yesterday. He was commenting on the Broadcasting Corporation's decision to ask the Government to contribute two-thirds of the net costs oi maintaining the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. "The orchestra is our greatest musical asset — a national asset built up over many years and one which we cannot afford to lose,” Mr Highet said.

“I have discussed the matter with my colleague, the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Templeton) and we are looking at ways and means by which the orchestra can be assisted, if assistance becomes necessary. “As Minister for the Arts I can assure music lovers

that support will be forthcoming.” Mr Templeton said on Wednesday that SI.6M was needed from the Government for the orchestra, reports the Press Association. But the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) told NZPA in Paris that on figures he had the Broadcasting Council would not get the money for the orchestra. Questioned about that yesterday, Mr Highet said: “Well, that is his opinion. I believe we, as a Cabinet, have just got to find this money.”

If the money could not be found in the broadcasting budget it would have to come from the Consolidated Account, Mr Highet said. It would “upset” him if the orchestra had to be funded from lottery money.

Mr Highet confirmed that both he and Mr Templeton would be strong advocates in

the Cabinet for the Government’s finding the money il

it became necessary. Cuts in the national and YC radio programmes were deplored by P.E.N. (N.Z.), the national writers’ organisation.

The president (Dr Michael King) said the programmes threatened were those that presented the most worthy aspects of New Zealand culture — “The things we define ourselves by, the things other people will define us by in the future.” Dr King said the second cause for regret was that writers were being struck a savage blow in terms of incomes.

“They get no wages and are dependent for their income on book royalties and radio and television commissions. They are not protected by general wage orders,” he said.