IN TUNE-AT LAST.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1445, 21 May 1912, Page 3

IN TUNE-AT LAST.

MUSICIANS & MASTERS AGREETHREE POINTS RESERVED. DETAILS OF THEAGREEMENT. Harmony is now almost. l-estortd between the local musicians who ' I!>vc formed a union and are seeking an award, and their employers. The Conciliation Council sat yesterday, for the second time, to deal with the matter, and at the end of a brief sitting the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. I'. Hally) was able to announce that an agreement had been arrived at in regard to most matters in dr.snute.

One or two points, of which preference is the most important, will be submitted to the Arbitration Court for determination. Five Miles Radius of Wellington. Following is a summary of the agreement arrived at. The award is to cover the area within a five-mile r.idins of the Wellington General Post Office, and is to apply to all persons employed to play musical instruments at skating rinks and public dancing assemblies, in refreshment rooms, in conjunction with dramatic performances, variety and picture entertainments, performances by operatic and comedy companies, and in professional orchestras. Rates of Pay. In reference to wages, two classes of employment have been scheduled. The first covers general theatrical performances, including ordinary picture shows and skating rinks. The second division is confined to continuous picture shows. The wages in the first class are to be •£3 per week for six performances. In continuous picture shows a wage of ,£3 per week is to be paid for a day performance, starting at 11 a.m. and finishing at 5.30 p.m." For evening performances from G. 30 p.m. to 11 p.m., the wage is also to be ,£3 per week. Musicians in the first class (general theatrical) are to give seven hours during each fleck, free, for purposes of rehearsals. The hours may be divided over the week at the option of employers. It is also provided that the first quarter of an hour after each rehearsal shall be given free by musicians if employers so des.'ire.

In tho case of continuous picture shows the tinie given free for rehearsals is not to exceed one hour per week. Rehearsals on Good Friday and Christmas Day arc to be paid for at double wages rates. Performances on those days are to be paid at ordinary rates. Overtime is to be paid at the rate of 2s. Gd. per hour in both classes. Amateur Musical Societies. Amateur, societies, the Commissioner stated, would probably be retained as parties to the agreement, but the conditions which have hitherto obtained in respect of the payment of musicians, etc., are to continue "in force. This is to apply to amateur concerts, oratorios, amateur operatic performances, or amateur orchestral performances. These conditions apply to the Municipal Orchestra and other similar bodies.

A musician employed at a matinee, in connection with a general theatrical engagement, is to receive 10s. for each matinee. Matinees at picture shows and skating rinks are to be paid for at the rate of 10s. for each performance after the first, in each week. One weekly matinee is to be given by musicians free. Casual performers are to be paid at the rate of 12s. for each performance. No substitute is to be deemed a casual performer. A casual performer is defined as ono employed for.a period of less than eix performances. Demands relating to picnics, races, afternoon engagements, such as garden parties (not specified in the agreement), ha : zaars, and so forth, were struck out by consent.

In regard to dancing assemblies, it was agreed that wages should ho, paid as follows:—From 8 p.m. until 11 p.m., 12s. 6d.; from 8 p.m. (o midnight, 15s. Tho award is not to apply to any musicians travelling with theatrical or similar companies. It was agreed that the matter of arranging rehearsals on Sundays should bo a matter of mutual arrangement between the parties concerned. Matters Not Settled.' The foregoing summarises the whole of the points upon which the parties to the dispute have arrived at an amicable settlement. The three points reserved for the Court are:— 1. Remuneration of musicians employed in refreshment rooms. 2. Remuneration of musicians employed, in dancing assemblies after midnight. 3. Preference. In reference to these points the council will make tho following recommendations to the Court:—

"That musicians, employed in dancing assemblies after midnight should bo paid at the rate of ss. per hour. 2. That all musicians employed in refreshment rooms, cafes, etc., should be paid at tho rate of 2s. 6d. per hour. 3. As to preference, it will be recommended: (a) That employers be left at liberty to employ any persons offering themselves for employment, whether they are members of the union or not; (b) That, in the event of any person being engaged who is not a member of the union, such person shall be notified within seven days, from the date of bis engagement; by tho secretary of the union, and a request made to him to join the union. Should such person refrain from becoming a member within seven subsequent days, he shall bo liable for breach of award. The employer is not liable, in any circumstances, for a breach of this particular sechion. During the afternoon a number of witnesses were heard by the council in reference to matters dealt with in the agreement. Mr. Williams, who appeared on behalf of the employers, stated that he liad always received, as a musician, tho remuneration asked for by the union. Apprehensive Amateurs. According to the president of the Musicians' Union (Mr. H. B. Oakes), a number of people are still apprehensive that the formation of the union will work some injury to amateur musical societies. This. Mr. Oakes wishes to deny. He stated yesterday that, in reference to it? schedule of demands, it was not the intention of the union to interfere with the advancement of amateur musical art. He added that the object aimed at, in citing the different local societies, was to deal with the professional element only. When these societies engaged players, as professionals, they must pay jhe rates agreed upon before the Conciliation Couno'l. The union, Mr. Oakes added, was in no wav hostile to the local societies, but Tather" the reverse. It -was recognised that the bigger the field for engagements, the better it would be for the union and its members.