MUSICIANS' UNION
Sir-In.a recent issue of The Listener, Denis Glover in "Round the Bend" appears to criticise the Musicians’ Union for the title: "New Zealand Musicians’ Industrial Union of Workers." His criticism was quite good-humoured, probably just a passing thought on his part; but for the benefit of readers who may have thought "he has something there," I would like to answer his question. He asks: "Why not Industrial Union of Players?" He may have struck nearer home by quoting the Journalists’ Industrial Union of Workers, and asking, "Why not Industrial Union of Writers?" The answer in each case would be the same. Such a wording would debar both unions from participation in conciliation and arbitration. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act of 1925 recognises only two types of unions, industrial unions of employers, and _ industrial unions of workers, and all employees’ unions must include the word "workers" in their titles in order to be registered under the Act. Thus, all such unions are industrial unions of workers. In any case, we look upon Musicians’ Union members as workers. Apart from their being legally registered as workers under the Act, they are employed under an award, and work specified hours for an employer at specified rates of pay. If the title is still thought to be a bit of a mouthful, some readers may feel inclined to'blame the Act for requiring it, but first we must remember that it simplifies the Act to group unions together as employers on the one hand, and workers on the other. Secondly, the Act has been frequently amended since
1925, by successive governments, without any change or challenge to this provision, which would seem to indicate that it works very well. Finally, may I say that it is easy to criticise something that strikes the eye, without looking for the reason behind it. If we look, there is usually a reason for
most things.
A. L.
PETERSON
President, N.Z. Musicians’ I.U. of W.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19531204.2.12.6
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 29, Issue 751, 4 December 1953, Page 5
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329MUSICIANS' UNION New Zealand Listener, Volume 29, Issue 751, 4 December 1953, Page 5
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
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