MUSICIANS IN THEATRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19856, 28 January 1928, Page 13

MUSICIANS IN THEATRES.

NEW DOMINION AWARD. A COMPLETE AGREEMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Friday. The hearing of the application by the workers for a Dominion musicians' award was concluded before the Conciliation Commissioner, Mr. P. Hally, in Wellington to-day. The New Zealand Musicians' Industrial Association was represented by Messrs. T. Dallas (Dunedin), A. Williams (Wellington), G. E. Poore, F. Egerton and A. Rosser (Auckland) and A. Tongue (Christchurch). The employers were represented by Messrs. Bert Royle, W. Haddow and W. Burton (Wellington), F. Haigh (Christchurch), L. Quinn and G. Alexander (Auckland). At the hearing on Thursday a mutual agreement was reached on machinery clauses, which affect vaudeville and picture theatres, cabarets, skating rinks, broadcasting, etc. The question of wages was discussed to-day, and Mr. A. Rosser, who opened on behalf of the workers, in appealing for an increase of wages for the performers, stressed the fact that it was something more than the usual workers' union. It was a profession old in history ad tradition. The wages scale was discussed at some length, without any agreement being reached, and an adjournment was made to enable the players to hold a conference. After they had discussed the matter in private, the parties met again. Mr. B. L. Hammond said the employers were prepared, subject to the whole award being arrived at now, to the wages clause being settled on the basis of the present award. The clauses, were then gone through, and a complete agreement reached. A week's holiday on full pay at the end of 12 months' service was agreed upon. A musician directing an orchestra is to be paid £1 5s above the ordinary award rates.