DISCORD.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1441, 16 May 1912, Page 6

DISCORD.

MUSICIANS & THEIR CALLING. SEEKING AN AWARD. THE CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS" HARMONY RESTORED. Musicians were before the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. V. Hally) yesterday. They have recently formed a union, and their next need is an award. Mr. G. F. Ueyling appeared as agent for the Musicians' Union, and its assessors were: Messrs. H. li. (Jakes, T. T. Joy, and 11. Moschini. Tho agent for the employers was Hγ. W. A. Grenfell, and associated with him as assessors were Messrs. J. Fuller, jun., Hert Boyle, and JI. J. Donnelly. The council sat from 10 a.m. until nearly G p.m., when it was announced that most of the- matters in dispute had been settled. Who Should be Under the Award? The town clerk (Mr. .T. It, Palmer), who attended with the City Organist (Mr. Maughan Harnett) on behalf of the City Counci], asked that that body should be exempted from the award in respect of (hi! Municipal Orchestra and the 'Tramway and other band.-:. Mr. Fuller suggested that the Adelphi Theatre- should be added to tiie list cf parties, and pointed out that .he professional Orchestra had been omitted from tho list.

Mr. Grenfell said that it was rather significant that the Professional Orchestra should have been left out. He added that the employers would apply to strike out all parties who were only casual employers of musicians.

A uiiioii representative suggested that the lioyal Oak and Grand Hotel proprietors should be cited as parties.

For tho employers, it was submitted that these establishments did not employ musicians on salary, but only subsidised them.

Mr. Grenfell again advanced his suggestion to strike out -casual employers of musicians.

Tho Commissioner did not think that the Court would consent to join these parties.

Mr. Grenfell urged" the Commissioner to exercise the discretionary power con-' forred upon him iirlhe latest amendment to tho Arbitration Act. and strike out tlie parties referred to. The dispute should bo confined to those who were in the musical line ns a regular means of profit. Tho Commissioner mentioned that the Court had already decided to join only those employers who were engaged in it for profit. No doubt this policy would be adhered to.

Mn Palmer again raised the question of exempting the Municipal Orchestra and tho Tramways and other bands. As for the Professional Orchestra, they stated that they were only a club, and only took up- a collection at the door. This amounted to serious competition with the Municipal Orchestra. The council .subsidised four bands other .than tho Tramways Band; In reply to a question, Mr. Palmer stated that the Municipal Orchestra was employed by the council. Tho union thereupon moved to strike out the name of Mr. Mniißhan Barnett from the list of parties cited. Brass Bands Imperilled. Lieutenant Jlord then applied for tho exemption- of the Garrison Band. The Commissioner remarked that Lieutenant -Herd need not have any anxiety in the matter. Ho was satisfied that tho people who were at the-bottom -of this dispute did not wish to harass brass bnmU.

Mr. Grenfell remarked that some of the employers cited, such as the Wellington Racing Club, wero cited as employers of bands. If these employers were' 'affected, the band also would be affected. Mr. lieyling said that tho union held that tho employers would be affected, but not the bandsmen themselves.

Mr. Grenfeii: You are binding tho bands if you bind the employers of the bands. '

The Commissioner said that he understood that although something might be paid to the individual bandsmen when they filled an engagement, tho bulk of the money received accumulated and was devoted to the upkeep of the band.

Lieutenant Herd confirmed this, and stated that if those who occasionally employed the band ivero called upon to pay each of its members 15s. for a very brief engagement, the bands would have to go out. At present the bands relied on these engagements to provide the cost.of (heir upkeep. If the engagements were lost it would bo a case- of "Good-bye to the bands." Position of Jupp's Band. Mr. Jupp advanced a similar application on behalf of Jupp's Band. Mr. Keyling objected to the proposed exemption. The union, he said, did not want to deal with bands, but with oinplovers of bands. The bands could play for nothing if they liked, but he knew that in some cases they wero paid, and the bandsmen themselves received the money. Mr. Joy said that bands which took infrequent engagements sometimes took them at cut rates. Mr. Jupp said that his band had been in existence for twenty-four years. Sometimed a party of ten of its members would piny at a picnic for 12s. Gd. per man and expenses. They knew that unions and other bodies could not afford to pay more. Tho bandsmen looked upon these engagement!) as outings, and sometimes men out of work were glad of the 12s. Gd. There might be. six such engagements in a year. Other engagements uere few and far between. The Choral Society. The secretary of the Royal Choral Society claimed exemption for that body on the ground that it was not a nioneymalcing concern. Mr. Heyling intimated that the union would agree to exemption in this case. Working Men's Club Orchestra. Mr. T. Smith (secretary of the Working Men's Club) asked that it should bo exempted. The members of its orchestra, ho stated, all belonged to the club, and did not play for profit, but for the entertainment of members. No objection was raised by the union. Wellington Musical Union. Mr. Grenfeii asked that the Wellington Musical Union should be exemptod. Mr. Reyling said that he understood that some members of the Musical Union were paid, so that it did not come within the same category as the Choral Society. Mr. Kcyling at this stage said that he had just been informed that some members of the Choral Society were paid for their services. In that caso he would opposo the exemption.

It was explained that the society paid some orchestral players, but that these persons were not members.

Putting forward a general plea on behalf of musical societies, Mr. Grenfeii contended that it would restrict the promotion and appreciation of music if they were joined as parties to an award.

Mr. .Toy, for the union, stated that, generally speaking; it was content that salaries should remain as at present in the caw of musical societies. Previous Attempts to Adjust Things. The Commissioner asked if any meeting of the parties had been held! Sir. Grentcll stated that thu meetings held had been to 110 purpose. Mr. Oakes said that the union representatives had spent a lot of time iu endeavouring to arrange meetings with the employers. At one meeting an agreement (on the lines of the Dnnedin award) had been drawn iip, and signed by a number of employers. Mr. Fuller said that the meetings held had been "very spasmodic," and had not by any means covered the whole of the employers in the district. At one meeting, which he attended himself, no conclusion was arrived at. It appeared that a few of the other employers were "sniped at." nnd signed pome agreement: or other.

The Commissioner: Nothing has been (lono then?

Mr. Joy replied Hint the union representatives had endeavoured to meet nil tin.' people interc-tecl. and to ccimih to Joniß amicable nrrnni;enipnl. Thrp» or tour member? nf I ho union rnminitteo had wasted days in pn'Jenvonrinjt to jot employers to attend a. uwstiug- . Tie Commiesioiw.; It u sufficient for

ma that you have not yet been able to do anything by meeting.

Making a Fresh Start,

Mr. Grenfell said that the employers did not consider what had been done at meetings as in any way binding them to any partial agreement. The conferences that Had been held were informal, and not fully representative. The dispute must start do nuvo. Employers who had signed an agreement had signed on condition that other employers accepted tho agreement.

Mr/Kcyling said that ne tooj; it that the agreement signed would havo some weight with the council since it showed that'employers were prepared to grant these conditions. ','

Mr. Grenfell stated that the employers had taken, as the basis of their proposals, an award made by the Court at Duncdin. In addition, the employers recognised that people employed in dancing assemblies, tea rooms, and similar places had a right to havo their conditions of employment iixed.

The Commissioner said that lie eouM do nothing if neither side objected to the inclusion of dancing assemblies and tea rooms.

My. Grenfell then objected to the inclusion of tea rooms.

Mr. Reyling at this stage said that the union assessors had advised him that the matters in dispute would scon bo settled it the case were left to .the assessors.

The Commissioner: Hut we want you to settle them.

Mr. Grenfell said that the matters in dispute ought to bo settled with tho representatives of tho parties present. Mr. Reyling stated that the union was prepared to accept some of the employers' proposals with very slight mollifications.

After a little discussion it was agreed that the council should go into committee, the agen'ts, as well as the assessors, remaining in tho room. A Settlement in Sight. The council" silt in committee until the evening. When it rose it was announced that an agreement had been arrived at save in regard to preference, dance engagements, and cafe and restaurant engagements. These matters will be dealt with at a meeting of tho parties on Monday next at 2 p.m. It is proposed that the award, when made, shall apply to all persons employed to play musical instruments at skating rinks, public dancing assemblies, refreshment rooms, and in connection with dramatic performances, variety and picture entertainments, and operatic and comedy performances. Professional orchestras are to conic within the scope of tho award. Thu rate of. wages agreed u->on in tho case of regular theatrical engagements (including picture, shows), skating rinks, etc., was .£) per week. It is not anticipated that any insuperable difficulties will arise over the matters winch remain in dispute.