LIFE ON THE STAGE

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 October 1928, Page 2

LIFE ON THE STAGE

JUDGE AS CRITIC

SYDNEY, September 20

Several aspects of stage life were vigorously condemned by Judge Detheridge, Chief Judge of the Federal Arbitration Court, in Melbourne the other day, when he had before him the claims of the Actors’ Federation. The Judge said that the public took its pleasure at the expense of youth. He claimed that juvenile turns were on the same moral plane as the exhibitions of the old Roman gladiators. Mr Charles Dunn, advocate for the federation, contended that the Court, in fixing minimum rates for members of the theatrical profession, should consider the great sacrifices made by actors and actresses. Married men, he said had to maintain two homes. They had little real home life, and while they were on tour their expenses were colossal as compared with other workers. The federation claimed a minimum of £8 a week for members of the chorus and ballet. His Honor, however, intimated that he would not grant that claim. . Mr Dunn stated that many juvenile performers never developed mentally or socially, like other folk, because of the life they led. They were, threfore, entitled to compensation, he said. His Honor: I agree that it is bad that young girls, particularly girls about 16, should travel from thenhomes without being, under proper parental care and control. This is in--1 deed a very unpleasant aspect ot theatrical life. The cure is to prohibit their employment—not to make stage life more attractive for them by raising of their wages.' However, I am not a judge of morals. Mr Dunn: With great respect, Your Honor, I dissent from your attitude. Mr Dunn said that in one company playing revues there was only one adult. Employment of’young girls was popular because it was cheap. His Honor: Personally, I think the tribunals have awarded the young people too much. 1 do not think adult wages should be given to an unskilled worker until lie is 21. High wages paid the girls and boys have led to a false standard. It is said thatyoungsters of IS can do as miich as an adult and that their engagement is as profitable to the employer, but the principle is all wrong. Mr Dunn: The girls to whom I am referring cannot remain juveniles indefinitely. His Honor: The public takes its pleasure at the expense of youth. So long as that state of affairs continues, neither Parliament nor the Court can alter public taste. Public taSte will probably remain at a. low level toi hundreds of years. It is extremely doubtful whether it will ever-improve. Mr .Dunn: The girls have to pay the same hotel tariffs as adults. His Honor: I suppose there is no difference in the living expenses of a girl of 16 and an adult. Mr’Dunn: On the stage a girl ot lb is a woman. . „ Undoubtedly, but if I give them full adult wages the industry will shortly be flooded with young girls. All the shop girls would rush the theatres and the dance cabarets. Mr Dunn said that juvenile dressmakers and shop girls did not receive adult wages, but that principle could not be applied to the theatrical occupation because neither of these industries employed children 3i years old. His Honor: -I agree that if I. give juvenile a lower wage than adults, entrepreneurs will make a bigger profit, but that does not solve the problem. Mr Dunn started to describe some of the juvenile acts, and the Judge interposed: “You cannot outrage my feelings. I have seen some horrible spectacles.”

Mr Dunn: You have also to remember that ballet girls have to attend dancing schools at their own expense. His Honor ended a general discussion by declaring that he could not' redress the grievances of mankind through the Arbitration Court.