CONFERENCE OF MUSICIANS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2096, 23 January 1908, Page 1

CONFERENCE OF MUSICIANS.

PROPOSED REGISTRATION OF TEACHERS. Spocial to Tjmeb. WELLINGTON, Jan. 22. Harmony does not nppoar to bo tlio principal feature of the Conlorcnco of Musicians, now being hold at tlio Town Hall, to dismiss the desirability or otherwise of obtaining legislation in tho interests of the profession. Some members, says the Post, attach great importance to it, and others do not, and Hr. G. D. Mackintosh .is one of them. Ho had been teaching, ho said, for over thirty .years, and ho thought that the reputations of individual teachers afforded them suilieiont protection. Tho public soon got to know who were the- best teachers. “Wliat was proposed to he the qualification for registrationr'” “Was ,it to he,” ho asked, “tho possession of diplomas and degrees ” If so, ho would say quite frankly that ho attached no value to them. Ho knew of two pupils who came to him who wore M.A.s, and who now occupied high positions in. tho teaching world. Ono of them was absolutely stono deaf, and the other had no Idea at all of time. Personally ho had no degree, and did not believe in them. “Should ho bo excluded from registration?” Perhaps it would he proposed that teachers should not engago in 'toaclmg more than ono instrument? If so, Mr. Mackintosh concluded amid .much ’laughter, will a clarionettist bo restricted to bis instrument and no other? “I. can assure you that a man cannot live on a clarionet alone.”