“NOT OPPORTUNE”

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 102, 24 January 1930, Page 9

“NOT OPPORTUNE”

CONTROL OF MUSIC EXAMINATIONS BY DOMINION BODY Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, January 22. That the time was not opportune for music examinations throughout New Zealand by a New Zealand examining body, was the opinion expressed at the conference of the New Zealand Society of Professional Music Teachers. ' Dr. S. K. Phillips (Auckland) stated that one of the objections raised to the present system under the British associated boards of colleges was that a great deal of money wat going out of the country in fees. He had heard that as much as £20,000 had gone out. It had been said also that candidates had a very short time in which to prepare for examinations, and examiners had so many places to visit that candidates could not do themselves justice in the time allotted. “People seem to think that if examinations were held in New Zealand, they would not carry the same weight,” he said. “That depends entirely on ourselves. Our universities carry the same,, or, in some cases, nearly the same weight as those in England. If examinations are conducted, I think they should be put on a very high standard, should be representative of the very best musicians, and shouh have the seal of the university to back them up.” Outgoing Disputed, The chairman (Mr. Robert Parker C.M.G.) quoted from a letter in which he replied to a statement that large sums of money were, being sent out of 1 New Zealand for the benefit of English examining bodies. “I cannot, of course, quote definite figures, but understand that after the local expenses of the two principal institutions now working in the Dominion have been paid (and therefore the money is locally circulated), a very small amount is actually sent abroad for their enrichment and to our detriment,” he said. “Without in any way impugning the competence of examiners drawn from the ranks of musicians practising in the Dominions,” said Mr. Parker, “it is an undoubted fact that teachers —at all events of the better class—would infinitely prefer, and continue to support, the examinations held by men who are in direct touch with the principal musical institutions in Great Britain.”

“Suppose that we did set up an examining board in New Zealand,” said Mr. J. Holmes Runnicles (Manawatu) : “we would only by an express Act of Parliament, which I consider impossible to have passed, exclude other examining bodies. We would have to be in competition with other bodies from the Old Country.” Mr. Barry Coney (Auckland) wanted to know if the amount of money going out of the country 'was so very great. Did it not balance the value of the examinations? He thought it was rather soon to think of setting up a board in a country with the population of New Zealand. • Mr. Grey (Dunedin) thought ■ that teachers would resent a change from the conditions under which they were at present working. Mr. L. F. Watkins (Wellington) thought that the agitation was part of a movement that had come from the United States to Australia—protection run mad. He thought that far more was gained than lost by the visits of examiners from abroad. "Over-examined Now.” “The point that strikes me is that we are hopelessly over-examined now,” said Dr. S. Galway (Dunedin). “I would willingly lead a campaign to suppress all examinations,” he said amid laughter. “The good that examinations have done' is simply incalculable,” said the chairman. “The standard has been raised enormously.” Mr. Garde Grimshaw (Manawatu) thought the time was inopportune for a change and suggested that the conference pass, a motion signifying its disapproval. Dr. Galway did not think delegates could commit their societies without discussing the matter with them. “I think the time is not yet opportune. but I quite foresee that in less than twenty years’, time we will conduct our own examinations.” commented Dr. Phillips. It was decided to pass no motion, but to ask the Press to note that: “The general consensus of the conference was that, the time was not opportune to give effect to the. proposals made by Mr. Alfred Hill with regard to examinations being held in New Zealand.” 1 ' Suggested Tax.’ 1 The Masterton branch forwarded a remit “That the conference is of the opin-| ion that the Government should levy a tax upon all musical examination fees, exempting responsible bodies in New Zealand where the money remains in the Dominion.” Mr. Wallace (Masterton), who supported the remit, suggested that the money might be devoted to providing scholarships to assist promising pupils. Mr. 'Coney emphasised that the examining bodies were not' undertaking the work from a financial point of view, and warned teachers that they should be very careful that they did not prejudice their own interests. It was pointed out that any tax imposed would be an additional burden on music, and the conference defined its attitude as being against the levying of a tax.