PLUMBERS IN DISTRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1927, Page 8

PLUMBERS IN DISTRESS.

"Plumbing," said a former president of the Federated Master Plumbers of New Zealand, " is no longer a trade, but a profession." We should be inclined to class it not merely as a profession, but as among the fine art*. It is, therefore, with the more regret that we learn that this high calling has fallen on evil times. The present president said the other day that the trade (for such he called it, unmindful of his predecessor's dictum) seemed to be gradually getting into a more and more decadent state. It would appear from his further remarks that, like other professions, plumbing is suffering from competition created by men " with only a kit of tools." These latter, one fancies, would call themselves tradesmen, and would be unconscious of the manner and tradition that go to make so much of truly professional life. They somehow or other get registered, perhaps because thev have some skill in the use of their tools; but tho true plumber, who prides himself on higher things than piping and solder, finds that he has increasing difficulty in building up a business. As with so many humbler mortals, the president looks to the Government and legislation to mend his lot and effect " a wonderful improvement in tho plumbing business." Municipalities arc also urged to have by-laws framed with the same laudable object in view. /To the average man plumbing is among the mysteries of life, and a plumber's bill is something not to be understood by the ordinary mortal, but it is like a doctor's prescription, only to be deciphered by the initiated. Stephen Leocock gives a character sketch of a famous detective sitting on a doorstep for two whole days " disguised as a plumber waiting for a wrench." Under the heading "A Chip of the Old Block," "Punch" some few years ago had a picture of a plumber, who had just packed his boy off to school for the first time, expressing astonishment at the boy's return at the end of half an hour. "Surely," he said. " school is not over yet?" " No," the boy replied " I've come back for my books." The profession has its own traditions, and works in its own time and its own way. It has thus come to occupy a unique position among callings followed by those who carry "a kit of tools." Plumbers have a great responsibility, inasmuch as the health of the community is very largely dependent on the skill and fidelity with which they carry out their work. That they should seek to* uphold the dignity of their calling is only natural. A Latin phrase connects leisure with dignity, and one can well believe that " competition by men with only, a kit of tools " has tended to disturb tho " qtium cum dignitate " of those who follow in the ancient and honourable traditions of the true Master Plumber. It in not easy, however, to see how legislation, whether national or municipal, can help much in this matter. The legal profession has found a wig and gown useful adjuncts to professional dignity, and plumbers might well take a hint in this direction from their brethren pf the long roba, .'. "-S^Mi