OUR THEATRES AND THEATRE DATES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 600, 31 August 1909, Page 5

OUR THEATRES AND THEATRE DATES.

' AN ALLEGED "CORNER."

.. (By Telegraph.—Press issoointlon.) ' ' Invercarglll, August 30. In regard to -theatre dates and an alleged "cornering" action by .theatrical managers, the ''Southland;. Times,!!■: interviewing ■: Mr. Goldie, 'theatrical: manager,:>who: arrived / We(to-day, learns.that Jor-some -time .past • there has been''considerable, trafficking .in theatre; dates in»New: Zealand, which, it is : Baid, has caused groat vexation to ■ leading Arms doing business: 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 paries interested,'unless they are willing :to , accedo to his terms, which are either cash payment or a share in the proceeds of the tour. .'Prominent managers;alleged that they have had to pay .largo prices to this particular "operator'V in order- to secure' tours in •n this-country, -and ;one well-known, firm /Bag. openly declared its intention to abandon New. Zealand altogether in.the future. >A meeting -of ' the ' Theatrical Managers' 'Association <of Austral asia • was / ■ held :last ~ week to deal with: tho;'matter,'there'being• t present representatives' of ' Mr.' i. J;. C. -Wit: ■■■■'. Rupert Clarke, jtfeynell and Gunn,! -William.'Anderson. Harry Rickards; : • J. - and vN: ■; Tait,; West s: . Pictures, ■' Jas. ■ ■ Brenan. Hugh J/.-Wardy • and George >" Mar- ,;. ltfw; > The following resolution was unani■r mously carried.'{That this association diß- , countenances ,the .practice;!of booking, dates : •in anticipation of soiling ;theih at. a rpre- : inium,: and that the members of: this associa- ' tion pledge themselves to report any attempt .. tat trafficking in dates on the part of any theatrical manager, and j that a oopy of this resolution-bo forwarded to all managers and theatre proprietors throughout Australasia." -I" ■■■■ ' ' ' > Mr. Goldie adds that the practice referred to ias been, generally reprobated;; in ifheatrir : . . I cal l circles; and that it has come to suoh a ;. ; pass .as :to seriously jeopardise legitimate • theatrical enterprise in New Zealand; -