A TIMELY WARNING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2280, 14 October 1914, Page 8

A TIMELY WARNING

TO VAULTING AMBITION IN NEW ZEALAND. Mr. AV. Farqnliar Young, the wellknown Dunedin vocalist, wlio is fio popular all over tlie Dominion, has just returned from a trip to England. Whilst there he was naturally interested in music, and the stragglers for musical recognition in tho great metropolis. Ho was horrified beyond measure to ascertain the shameless methods that are practised by an army of skilled "rooks" on the unsophisticated young men and women who go ahroad to 'seek musical experience with the flame of ambition burning brightly.

"I assert," said Mr. Young in an interview in tho Dunedin "Star,"."for the benefit of any young men or women who may be thinking of going to the great metropolis that they would be doing far better,for themselves to take to farming or anything else that offers in happy New Zealand. Goinß to London means that one is enmeshed by a perfect network of agents and subigents who have to be bribed before a iieariuE is possible, and the lighthearted youngster who may look elsewhere for a straight path _ to glory finds himself staggering against' an obstacle at every "turn. Thfc harpies to whom I refer, want at least threequarters- of your earnings if you are to get ariy show at. all. I am not exaggerating when I say that I mot hundreds of aspirants who had no chance at all. It -was heartbreaking to s-ee them, and to hear their experiences made dno feel furious. I met many New Zealiinders in London, and they all told the same story, with individual variations, of being stuck up in 'the streets by stranded young men and women asking for a meal. There is absolutely no hope of a young aspirant getting a hearing unless with tho aid of a proper organising committee and some person of influence at the bead of it. The conditions under which these peoplo live whilst waiting from day to day are full of trouble. _ They seem to •be looked on as legitimnie prey for everybody. Any man who advises a girl to go Home without financial and social support should be questioned rigorously. If he does not know the facts he may bo merely tool; if lie. does know them he is, in my opinion, no less than a criminal. "I have seen 400 girls lining up in a lane at ths back of a theatre When a new revue was advertised. What wero they hoping for? Precious little! There is no living wage there. A mere pittance, which they would have to supplement as best they could—that ; vas their prospect. It was pitiful to eee their wretched attempts to make themselves attractive. They were well aware without the advertisement that none but good-looking girls need apply.. I tell you the scene was heartbreaking. I strongly impress upon, my fellowcolonists the horrible danger of being carried away by silly conceit and baseless, ambition; "and the ill-advised admiration of friends, and the attractions that London life possesses for.friendless girls."' .