MUSICIANS’ PROTEST

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 13

MUSICIANS’ PROTEST

Engagement Of Australian

Orchestra

Representations had been imide to the Government to allow the New Zealand Musicians' Union to amend its rules to fix. a higher charge for admission to Hie union by outside professional musicians, said Mr. .1. 11. Collins, secretary of the union, yesterday, when commenting on. the Auckland message that a stir had. been caused among professional musicians by the desire of a theatrical management to bring an Australian orchestra of 28 players to tour New Zealand with a visiting theatrical company.

The Auckland union contended that the company should bring only players such as could no be supplied in the Dominion.

“There is such small scope in New Zealand for mnsicans tliat they could not allow the few available opportunities to go to outside or foreign musicians,” said Mr. Collins. Australia had already taken action to protect its own musicians. Outside or foreign .musicians desiring to play in Australia had first to be aproved for union membership and then had to pay tlie high T.I■inission fee of £2l. In New Zealand the union membership fee was 5/- fixed iby tlie Arbitration Act:. Representations had been made to the Australian union by Hie New Zealand union, sttid Mr. Collins, for an agreement which would be of mutual benefit to belli countries, but no reply had been received. In any case, New Zealand rarely sent orchestras to Australia, so that the present: conditions reacted against New Zealand.

“We are quite capable of providing musicians for visiting companies,” concluded Mr. Collins.