STAGE HANDS' WAGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 15

STAGE HANDS' WAGES.

PRODUCER SEEKS REDUCTION. UNION REFUSES REQUEST. MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY. A dispute concerning wages for stage mechanists has arisen between the Theatrical Employees' Union* and Mr. Richard White, who is acting with his brother, Mr. Eric Edgley, and the Williamson management in the production of the musical comedy "Love Lips," which is to open at His Majesty's Theatre tomorrow week. Mr. S. Dibb, secretary of tiie union, has refused a request from Mr. White for a reduction in union wages in the case of two men to be engaged for the Dominion tour.

'"The present state of the theatrical business makes a reduction in overhead expenses imperative," Mr. White said. "In view of the tact that no large theatrical company has visited New Zealand for many months we naturally wish to reduce risks to a minimum. Is is a costly matter to transport a large company across the Tasman and tour It through New Zealand, but with "Love Lies' the complete Australian show will be brought across. "However, in view of the world-wide depression in the theatre business and the fact, that 'Love Lies' would be the first pretentious musical comedy after a lengthy interval given over almost entirely to talking pictures, it was decided that expenses would have to be cut in some direction, especially as there were to be reductions in admission prices. The artists realised the position and auite voluntarily decided to accept cuts in their salaries. This aopiies to everyone, from the principavs down to the ballet girls, and also to my brother and myself. ''Accordingly, I wrote to Mr. Dibb. explaining the matter fully and suggesting that, in view of the necessity for keeping the stage alive, union wages might be waived in the present case until we could see how things were beading. The reduction in wages I suggested was not great. The award provides for a weekly travelling wane of £7 17s 6d for a first stage mechanist and £7 for a second stage mechanist. I suggested that we should employ these men at £7 and £5 5s a week respectively, exclusive of overtime, bnt 1 have now received a teiesram from Mr. Dibb stating that full award rates must be paid. "It is ail very well for Mr. Dibb to order members of his union to take only ; full award wages." Mr. White said. "These men have been out cf work for months and in many cases have wives and families to support. It is up to the union to assist its members in finding ereplcymejjt. in a sensible manner. The i wages we are offering are still aduquate i living wages."