A MEASURE FOR MUSICIANS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8490, 19 July 1907, Page 5

A MEASURE FOR MUSICIANS.

PROPOSED REGISTRATION OF PROFESSIONALS; By Te'egraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 18. In the House of Representatives, yesterday, Mr T. K. Sidey (Caversham) moved the second reading of the Musicians' Bill to provide for the registration of musicians and for the regulation of instruction in music in New Zealand, and of admission of musicians to the society to be incorporated under the provisions of the Act. Members of the various registered musical societies, he" explained, were to be admitted, and all persons over 21 years of age who had been habitually engaged in composing, teaching, performing or writing upon music for three years prior to the coming into operation of the Act should be entitled to have_ their namts registered together with all persons holding diplomas, degrees or certificates showing their qualifications. The remainder of the Bill was. composed mainly of machinery clauses, including power to deal with offences against the provisions of the Act. Owing to the opposition exhibited to the Bill in certain quarters he did not intend to proceed further with the measure this session than having it read a second time and referred to a Select Committee. Mr T. Mackenzie (Waikouaiti) moved that the Bill be read a second time this day six months. He scathingly criticised the provisions of the measure, especially the penal clauses. Mr W. H. P. Barber (Newtown) supported the amendment. He considered the Bill premature. There were sufficient examining bodies without establishing another one. That was what the Bill sought to do. Mr F. M. B. Fisher (Wellington Central) opposed the Bill and pointed out that it proposed to set up a monopoly. As to the age of persons to be admitted he said there were a great many persons under 21 who had the faculty for teaching music, and they were debarred from membership. Mr A. R. Barclay (Dunedin North) thought the Bill should be allowed to go so far as to be considered by the Committee proposed to be set up. Mr D. Buddo (Kaiapoi) said that while the musicians of the colony deserved sympathy he objected to making a close corporation of them. There were, however, some good features in the Bill, and he would not like to see it killed outright. Mr J. G. W. Aitken (Wellington East) said the Wellington musicians opposed the Bill on the ground that it was unsuitably drafted, and they wished to obtain a general conference of musicians of the colony during the year to decide what was the best step to take. Mr C. H. Izard (Wellington North) stated that'he had received information from musicians of all parts of the colony that they did not want the Bill. The amendment was negatived by 38 votes to 22, and the Bill was read a second time. Mr Sidey moved that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee. This was carried by 35 to 32.

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