UNEMPLOYED MUSICIANS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1929, Page 7

UNEMPLOYED MUSICIANS

SERIOUS EFFECT OF TALKIES : DUNE-DIN, Nov. 25. Avenues of employment lor musician* have been greatly shortened by the inroads which 1 talkies have made into popular favour. At present over 400 musicians in New Zealand are unable to turn their musical talent into a lucrative source of revenue, and their position was discussed fully to-day at the biennial conference held at the Dunedin Trades Hall. The talkies and the aftermath of their sensational capture of the public were set down on the order paper as the most important items for discussion. The president of the conference is Mr E. H. .Moore (Christchurch), and the 'delegates are: Auckland, Messrs F. Edgerton and G. Poore; Wellington. Messrs G. Dalton and J. Drew; Christchurch, Messrs F. 'Woolley and L. Marston; Dunedin, Messrs G. Kerr and J. Pettet. Mr Arthur Tongue (Christchurch) is the secretary. “In Auckland and 'Wellington some of the musicians have gone back to the talkie houses,” said Mr Tongue. “The south will have to follow suit as the public is getting tired of the ‘canned’ music. No dohbt the public is also tiring of having gramophone records reproduced as talkie music.”

No musicians were destitute, said Mr Tongue, as most of the players followed other occupations during the day-time. However, musicians who had no other means of livelihood, having played in orchestras from their youth, were feeling the hard effects of the talkies. The music teachers and tire music-selling (inns were also being hit by the importation of “canned” music, |>ut so far they had not offered any practical assistance to the unemployed musicians who intended to ask the Government to take action.

“The talkies are killing New Zealand’s musical art,” said Mr 4. Robinson, secretary of the Trades and Labour Council.