THEATRE DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20767, 9 January 1931, Page 7

THEATRE DISPUTE.

"OLD MOTHER HUBBARD."

PANTOMIME DECLARED " BLACK.**

"Old Mother Hubbard," whose bare cupboard is notorious, has encountered fresh trouble in Melbourne. She has been declared "black" and picketed by the members of the Theatrical Employees' Association. She ,_retains some loyal friends, however, and a number of members of the union who are employed at the Bijou Theatre, where the pantomime "Old Mother Hubbard" was being produced, have refused (0 cease work, in spite of the "black" ban. With theiijj. assistance the pantomime has been produced

Active operations against Mother Hubhard were commenced on December 27. Shortly before 1 lie matinee performance the organiser of the association, Mr. H. Randies, and about 12 other men, stood in front of the theatre and shouted "This show is 'black.' " The theatre announcers replied: "This show is going on just the same." ./ ■ Tn an argument a woman knocked off Mr. Handles' glasses. There were large audiences at both performances. Mr. S. Hickey, who is producing the pantomime, usually tours New Zealand and New, South Wales. This is the first lime he has presented a show in Melbourne. Ho is not a respondent to the Theatrical Employees' Award, so that the dispute does not come under the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court.

Mr. S. McKay, proprietor of the company which is producing the pantomime, denied that unionists were dismissed and non-unionists employed in their places, lie regretted that any demonstration had been made at the theatre and that more than 100 people were unable to enter the building. The wages of the 50 'or 60 people he employed depended on good houses.

Mr. Randies said that two. unionists had been paid oft although non-unionists had been retained. Members of the union who remained at work at the theatre .would be dealt with by the committee of the union.

The theatre manager said that the only unionists 'dismissed were two men, who had been given casuaL.employment in preparing for the pantomime.