POLICY OF GRAB.

NZ Truth, Issue 881, 14 October 1922, Page 13

POLICY OF GRAB.

Dear "Truth," — I am writing you a few lines to let you know something about these greedy grabbing picture shows m Napier. Thote is no musical union here, and I can assure you the miserable pay meted out to their orchestral players is beyond understanding. One proprietor/ for example, charges often 2s 2d for circle, booked 2s 6d, stalls Is Id and sometimes Is Bd. It seems to me they like to screw the highest out of the pub-: lie, and yet the orchestral players get a paltry £2 10s! and some' only £1 per week. These players play from 7.30 to 10 p.m.,'and also have 1% hours' rehearsal on Sunday morning. Anpther theatre charges circle Is Cd and stalls Is, tax booking 6d extra- The orchestral players get 30s and some £2 per week. They play font 7.45 to 10.45 and get paid on Saturday night after all have left.ths ..theatre. This is a very late hour, and it's well after 11 p.ttu before the players get home. This should not be toierated. If this isn't encouraging the atart of a musicians' union to get a fair thing regarding their work, well, then? all I have said is waste. - The public; ,think they get handsomely paid, and y l am sure the proprietors think so.y'too, and will say they are not worth/ more; but I say there are good players there that should get better pay. Unfortunate circumstances compel them to accept the bare living wage. A picture show which has lately started plays, a. fair, game and pays £3 per week to the players. — I am, etc-, MUSIC. '■ ■ ->