THE MUSICIAN'S UNION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 120, 23 June 1941, Page 4

THE MUSICIAN'S UNION

COMMENT on the advertisement appearing in our col umns on behalf of the Musicians Union has not been overfrienclly. The union secretary has evidently felt it necessary to remind the public of Whakatane that full union rates must be paid to musicians for public and private gatherings, and' further,that it is an offence to employ any person othe'r than members of the union. We feel that to emphasise the matter at this juncture was most injudicious and tactless. These are times when, every person is expected to give gratis service during their leisure. While we have no quarrel with orchestra members themselves we feel that their union is unnecessarily labouring the monetary aspect, for all the orchestras we know of in this district are composed of artists who merely regard their playing as a spare time hobby. Public occasions perhaps may merit the stricter enforcement of all the union's demands, but when private gatherings are mentioned, the position, becomes ludicrous. We would take pleasure in telling the; secretary that despite all his efforts ajid threats he will never be able to enforce that aspect of his contention. It is unthinkable in a district such as ours to expect people who desire to give a private party to engage the services of a highly paid member of the Musicians Union. If the talent is offering within one's own circle naturally it will be utilised and the union can do what it likes. We do not consider that any union has the right to make such demands upon persons acting in a private and social capacity and any effort to enforce such action will meet with the rigid resistance and saorn it richly deserves.