Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 5 January 1924, page 19


GRAND OPERA.

ITALIAN MALE CHORUS. ENGAGEMENT RESENTED,

Hint of Strike. .

SYDNEY, Friday-A deputation, comprising members of the Australian Theatrec ii Alliance to day waited upon Mr Mahony, M HS and other federal members to ask their assistance in moving the Federal authorities to prohibit under the provisions of the Immigration Act, the landing of the Italian male chorus for the Melba grant i opera season after the deputation was introduced by Mr. Mahony to the Minister for Customs (Mr A Chapman) to ask him, as the senior Minister in Sydney, to take immediate action Other Federal members present were the leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Senator Gardiner), Senator Grant, and Messrs West, Cunningham, and I" A McDonald UHR,

The president of the theatricals Chance (Mr W Baker) said that theatrical employees strongly objected to the policy of bringing a male chorus from overseas to the detriment of Australian artists The male chorus which had been trained by Mr Mowle, and which was still in tram ing, had been approved by representatives of the firm of J I. W Williamson Ltd and it was only after the advent of Dame Nellie Melba that trouble occurred the Australian chorus had been able to deliver the goods " The alliance did not desire to prevent an artist like Dame Nellie Melba displaying his powers, but the view was taken that other Australians also should be given an opportunity to appeal before their own people It was desired that there should be an amicable settlement of the trouble, if that were pos- sible

Mr Mowle, the conductor of the trained chorus, traced the negotiations leading to its formation He, she" that the male chorus had been raised on definite instructions from J C Williamson Ltd The firm was

perfectly satisfied with the chorus, but

Dame Nellie Melba did not want it The chorus was tested and accepted by the firm, and the firm was still morally bound

to it.

Air C Dunne, the secret of the Actors' Federation said that he believed that the Italian chorus was being brought out under contract for rates of pay and conditions below those of the award

Drastic Action" Suggested

Mr Barnes, the secretary of the New South Wales branch of the theatrical I'm ployees Union, Mid - I ask you to take drastic action to prevent the landing of these men their advent will cause great unrest in the theatrical industry We do not want to go out on strike, but I fear that that is what will happen if the engagement of the Italian chorus is persisted in " Referring to members of the chorus of the Gonzales Opera Company which visited Australia some years ago, Mr Harrap said

-"We discovered that the chorus men were receiving £1/10 a week Our -Hurd rate at the time for chums men was 55 a week The company had a mechanician-a very capable man in his hue-who used to do all repairs to the dresses in addition to his mechanical duties A i threatened a cessation of work I inally we put the men in our union, and they were given £5 a week The point is however, that under the Immigration Act the semen came into Australia for a certain period They were required apparently to put up a bond Some of them, it is believed, are still in

Australia "

Minister Sympathetic

Mr Chapman expressed his personal sympathy with the views outlined He pointed out that the matter time by thin the province of the Minister for Home and Territories (Senator Pearce), who was in Western Australia Personally I am strongly in sympathy with you," said Mr Chapman I think that all good Austriahas feel that we have plenty of Australian singers here I have heard operas in Italy and elsewhere, and I think that we should be able to supply the chorus here Your case is undoubtedly a hard one, but I hope that the trouble may be amicably settled It would be most unfortunate if it should lead to further trouble, to which a reference has been made by a member of the deputation The Ministry naturally recognises you as members of an industry entitled to protection as much as members of any other industry, and it will endure vour to ensure that you get a fair deal (Applause.)