THE CONFERENCE OF MUSICIANS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9039, 24 January 1908, Page 4

THE CONFERENCE OF MUSICIANS.

. Last session, Mr T. K. Sidey, member for Dunedin, introduced into the House of Representatives a measure I entitled the "Musicians Bill," the object of which was to provide for the registration of teachers, and to secure the appointment of a Council of Musicians. This Council, it was I pointed out, would draw a line of demacration between trained and untrained teachers. There was more than a suspicion at the time that the object of the bill was to make the musical professional "close guild," to the detriment of many teachers who were in competition with the "professional" element. The House took a eo;r.mon-sense view of the matter, and declined to be a party to any such project. Members fully recognised the importance of encouraging tho study of music as an art, but did not feel disposed to do an injustice to a large number of persons—mainly young women —who were supplementing their small incomes, or supporting their parents or relatives by taking music pupils in their leisure hours. The provisions of the bill were very severely criticised, and it was not proceeded with. Since then there has been an agitation among ( many of the musicians of the colony for the re-introduction into Parlia- I ment of some measure of the kind, and a conference of professional musicians from various parts of the dominion opened in Wellington on Wednesday last, with the object of fully considering the subject. After a long and animated discussion, a resolution was carried by 38 votes to 28 affirming the necesstiy for legislation for the musical profession. It was further decided that Mr Sidey's bill of last session be taken as a basis of legislation. Some of the highest musical authorities in the dorninion were opposed to the proposal. Mr Maughan Barnett, who organised the conference by request, and who was appointed its chairman, said he was opposed to legislation that would* tend to hamper art of any kind. Several musicians of standing with whom he had conversed had been against legislation in the direction proposed. He quoted English author- : ities in the same direction. If there ' had been legislation in the days of ; Beethoven and Wagner they would j not have had their chances. Parlia- ] ment, he felt sure, would refuse to i sanction compulsory registration, and f without such compulsory registration f legislation would be absolutely use- j less. The incompetent teachers out- £ side the Society would, in time, gain the upper hand, and if they allowed a them within their ranks it would be r

an admission that they were competent. He believed emphatically that legislation in New Zealand would be an absolute mistake. Mr Robert Parker also objected to Parliamentary interference. He' expressed the opinion that the day of incompetent teachers in New Zealand was gradually coming to a close. Time alone would work advantages on behalf of the musical profession. Several other prominent musicians supported thesf. views, which have much to recommend them from the points of view of commorisense and justice. \ On the other side of the question Mr J. irl. Frayer, of Napier, and those favouring legislation, held that it was necessary to give musicians the same protective rights as in the case of the medical profession, and contended that the public should be protected from the incompetent teacher. Other members of the conference maintained that neither the public nor musicians desired protection, and held that the public had means of protecting themselves. The day was carried in favour of legislative enactment, and the conference has since drafted a bill'to give effect | to the views of the majority. The I question is one on which members ' of the Legislature will have Siuch to say, but we think they will re- ■ quire very strong reasons-^—much stronger than those now put for- ; ward—for making the musical pro- > fession a close corporation before any . measure to that end is passed.