CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 4

CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC.

OBJECTIONS BY TEACHERS. WELLINGTON, January 8. Professional musicians are up in arms ■ against the proposed Cqnservatorium of Music, and have forwarded a petition v* the Governmerotr, in which they say : "We consider the establishment of a conservatorium by the University of New Zealand premature, for the reason that ther population of this country is yet by far too small and scattered throughout the country. Roughly speaking, the four centres contain only a quarter of the whole population. To this must be added that the inclination of the majority does not by any means lie in a musical direction. In •consequence the field for music teachers is a very limited one. It would not exercise any radiatory or illuminating influence throughout the Dominion, and. if it should prove successful it would only be a local> few in. New Zealand who would consider a New Zealand Conservatorium in the light of a European one, as proved iv Melbourne and Adelaide. After having arrived at a certain degree of efficiency, musicaljy gifted students, who intend to make music their profession, must be sent to Europe. If the Government would consent to such a request it would establish a clear case of 'the big capitalist against the poor worker.' A conservatorium established by a richly endowed body like the University, of New Zealand, and subsidised by the State, would prove a crushing competitor in consequence of being able to charge low fees and give plenty of scholarships. In fact, in order to keep it going it could disregard the monetary aspect altogether, to the detriment of private teachers. Members of the Senate are under the impression thajt the fees which are at present yearly going out of the Dominion into the coffers of the Royal Aisi£ocia.ted Board, and of Trinity College, and which have 'been computed to amouanfc to £2500 last year, could" ba diverted into their own coffers by coming bo- some arrangement with the two examining bodies or by establishing a. conservatorium and ltokLing musical examinations themselves. In fact, this point is at the bottom of the whole scheme for the possession of a couple of thousand! pounds, and all this despicable agitating is by two rank outsiders ! Does the Senate for one moment suppose that any private teacher, whose income has been; reduced by virtue of the establishment of a conservatorium would, prepare any of his pupils for the conservatorium examinations? Not likely! In conclusion ,-yw« camniot see clearly any reason why the Government should be influenced ' by two men (Messrs L. Cohen and Russell, the two main agitators for the scheme), who are -entirely outsiders, and who, in consequence of their absolute want of musical training, cannot be considered authorities on any subject relating to the art of music."