CONFERENCE OF MUSIC TEACHERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 12

CONFERENCE OF MUSIC TEACHERS.

LEGISLATION SOUGHT FOR.

WELLINGTON, January 22.

The first conference of professional musicians was opened this morning at the Town Hall.

The following ladies and gentlemen were in attendance : — Auckland — Messrs Hunt, Webbe. Miss A. Law. Napier — Messrs J. Fray, li. Loner, Herr Leemann. Christchurch — Herr Max Herschburg, Messrs Davis, Hunt, It. Renaud, Boss, Atkinson, Herr Tunnermann, Mrs Brooke, Miss Black. Oamaru — Messrs Hardemann, Ferguson. Dunedin — Signer Squarise, Messrs Timson, Ga.rd'ner, Vallis, Duncan, Miss Loupen, Miss Barth. Invercargill — Mr Gray. Wellington — Messrs Barnett, Hunt, Parker, Watkins, Raymond, Herr Max Hoppe, Miss Richmond, Mrs Carlton, Mrs Glover Eaton. Musicians unattached to any societj — Messrs Alfred Hill (Wellington), Gunter (Palmerston North), Mrs Blandford (Wanganui). Mr Maughan Barnett (Wellington) was elected president, Mr Maitland Gardner (Dunodin) vice-president, Mr H. Hunt, hon. secretary, and Mr C. D. Mackintosh, assistant secretary.

Tho President, in the course of his address, spoke on the objects of the gathering. The conference had been called in consequence of the Musician's Bill, which came before Parliament last session. The Wellington musicians could not favour certain important features of the bill, and also felt that musicians throughout the Dominion should have an opportunity of considering the measure before its introduction into Parliament. In consequence of arrangements made by him, delegates from societies in Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Oamaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill were assembled, while invitations had also been cent to a ■number of musicians prominent in the towns in which they resided, but who were not members of societies. The subject of registration, with which the conference would be chiefly concerned, was one that had exercised the minds of musicians in the old country for many years, and was a question of extreme difficulty which their professional brethern at Home had not yet solved. Whether they could accomplish, the task in New Zealand, or whether it could be shown at the conference that registration would have the result expected— namely, the suppression of the incompetent) teacher — remained to be seen.

Ml" J. H. Fray (Napier) proposed * motion to the effect that it was desirable that legislation bo obtained for the protection of the public. At present there wa3 not in any calling so much imposture- pr&e-

tised as there was in the musical profess sion. Musicians should unite just as the legal, medioaJ, and other professions bad combined. They should be in a position to point out to the confiding publio thafi they had certain musicians who were worthy. They should not attempt to exclude people from teaching who desired to) do so for the purpose of making pocket money, but these persons should* be made to register, so that^ the hall-mark of competency would be placed upon them. He had found no objection anywhere to legis* lation on the lines he had suggested. They did not wish to bar incompetent teachers. What they desired to do wae to place & registered list of competent teachers before the public, who could then select instruc* tors for themselves at their -own risk.

There was some opposition to the resolu* tion, but it was eventually carried by a, decision representing 38 votes to 10. During the discussion Mr Baxnett said he was not in favour of legislation interfering with art. Art must be absolutely unhampered — absolutely free. The danger of legislation was infinitely greater than would be compensated for by advantages* likely to be gained. He had discussed tho matter of legislation with a number of musicians of standing, and without exception they had been against legislation. Ifi the idea of legislation and registration had been carried into effect in the days of Beethoven, Wagner, and others they would never have had a show. Legislation was a matter which should be left alone. Parliament, he believed, would absolutely refuse to sanction compulsory registration, and_ without that it would be no goodL Legislating on the linee which they would be able to get in New Zealand would not protect the public or the competent teacher. A status would be given to the incom* petent teachers which would militate un« fairly, and incompetents would eventually gain the upper hand. He stated em* phatically the belief that legislation in NewZealand would be a great mistake. On the motion of Signor Squarise, seconded by Mr Webbe, it was agreed thafc Mr Sidey's Bill of last session be taken aa the basis of the proposed legislatiojs. The conference then went into committee' to consider seriatim the clauses of th» bill.

rm /m » January 23. The, Conference of Professional Musicians was continued to-day, when a number, of amendments were made to Mr T. K. Sidey's bill which was introduced into the House last seseion, but dropped on account of the opposition shown to it. The amendments made are to be forwarded to MrJ oidey.

The conferenoe discussed th© question of the need for an improved method of teaching singing in the public primary schools, and a committee was set up to devise some plan of dealing with the matter, and submit the same by personal interview to the Education Department It was decided that if the Musicians Bill" does not become law before 1909 a conference be held in Auckland in January of that year, either for social, educational, or legislative purposes.