A PROTEST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 79, 2 March 1929, Page 2

A PROTEST.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The time is surely overdue for a protest, both public and emphatic, on behalf of the “Pit” section of tho theatre-going people in this town, against the treatment meted out to them by those in charge at the Opera House. For the performance of “The Vagabond King” last night there was a long queue—some of whom had waited many hours—for tire pit seats. They stood with exemplary patience and good humour long after the proper time for tho opening of the ticket office, well aware that the 6eats for which • they had been waiting, and to which their moral title was unquestionable, were being sold at “stall” prices to more affluent patrons at the front entrance. Ultimately an. insignificant number were admitted to seats, and presumably only these in order that the bare legal requirements might be fulfilled, and trouble thereby evaded. Even in connection with public property, money talks, and those who unfortunately cannot afford to pay high prices for their entertainment are regarded as without moral rights. Tho circumstances are entirely different from a privately-owned tre, where the proprietors might be able to make out some sort of a case for such action. Here, the public—affluent and otherwise—are the owners, and all have equal rights. When the cheaper seats are filled, the remainder of the queue have either to stand through the performance or go home. Elementary justice demands that these same options should be available to purchasers of the more expensive seats. We ask for no monopoly in this direction.

It would bo an inexpensive matter to paint numbers on both sides of the back of the pit seats, and even to put divisions in them, allowing so much space per person. Numbered seats in the pit could then bo booked at a small premium of say three pence, which few would object to pay, and so 'justice would be done to all. Fair play is a jewel. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” I trust that this letter may receive consideration at the hands of the authorities responsible.— I am, etc., IN THE QUEUE.