MUSICIANS OPPOSE IMPORTATIONS FOR NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 February 1948, Page 6

MUSICIANS OPPOSE IMPORTATIONS FOR NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

i (P.A.) AUCKLAND, This Day. | The importation of musicians by ithe New Zealand Broadcasting Service to fill vacancies in the National Symphony Orchestra is strenuously opposed by the New Zealand Musicians’ Union, according to its national executive, which, in a statement to- ; day, says:— | “The union believes that before 'combing overseas countries for artJsts a greater effort should be made ■to fill the requirements of the or- . chestra within New Zealand.”

| The statement adds that before importing musicians who are not New Zealanders, some New Zealand musicians who have gone overseas because of lack of opportunity here should be approached as to whether they would be prepared to accept positions with the symphony orchestra. The purposes for which the orchestra was established would be defeated if seasoned musicians from overseas .were employed, thus shutting the door ■of opportunity on young new ZeaI landers.

] The statement concludes: “Perhaps { investigation of the reasons for the 'recent resignations from the orchestra may have saved the expense of a trip jto England and the doubtful necessity of engaging overseas musicians.”