THEATRE DATES

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 1 September 1909, Page 58

THEATRE DATES

ALLEGED CORNERING ACTION. INVERCARGILL, August 30. The Southland Times, interviewing Air Albert Goldie (theatric) I agent), who arrived to-day, learns that for some time past there has been considerable trafficking in theatre -dates in New Zealand, which, it is said, has caused great vexation to the leading firms doing busienss in this country. It is alleged that a certain manager has been operating in dates to such an extent as to make tours of New Zealand prohibitive to the parties interested unless they are willing to accede to his terms, which are either cash payment or a share in the proceeds of the tour. Prominent managements allege that they have had to pay large prices to this particular individual in order to secure tours in this country, and on» well-known firm lias openly declared its intention to abandon New Zealand altogether in the future. A meeting of the Theatrical Managers* Association of Australasia was held last week to deal with the matter, there being present representatives of Mr J. C. Williamson, Sir Rupert Clarke, Messrs Meynell and Gunn, William Anderson, Harry Rickards, J. and N. Tait, West's Pictures, James Brenan, Hugh J. Ward, and George Marlow. The following resolution was unanimously carried : — '" That this association discountenances the practice of booking dates in anticipation or! selling them at a premium ; that the members of this association pledge themselves to report any attempt at trafficking in dates on the part of any theatrical manager ; that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all managers and theatre proprietors throughout Australasia." Mr Goldie adds that the practice referred to has been generally reprobated* !in theatrical circles, and that it has come to such a pass as to seriously jeopardise legitimate theatrical enterprise in New Zealand.