PAINTERS' PROTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 20

PAINTERS' PROTEST.

DEPRIVED OF EMPLOYMENT. BY UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEME. WARNING TO THE PUBLIC. With the object of trying to raise the standard of work by co-operation between the employer and the employee a combined meeting of the Master Painters.' Guild and the Employees' Union this week discussed the general position of the trade. Representatives of both organisations stated this. morning that under the various unemployment schemes many people were trying to get painting work clone cheaply with the Government subsidy. They contended that this should not be done, as the master painters had to pay workmen the award rate. Many Auckland people were getting such work done, but they did not realise that they were subject to compensation claims in cases of accident, and that they were liable up to £1000. By getting anybody at all to do work, the representatives contended, thejrublic were placing themselves in a position to be fleeced. If they gave the job to the first person who came along and offered a low price without finding out if he were a bonafide painter, it would cost them more in the long run. Good tradesmen were being deprived of employment. '•We will be on relief work ourselves 60011 if we are not careful," said one of the representatives. "Under the present state of affairs there will have to be more unity between the employer and tlie employee. It is-in the interests of the public that they should know of the state of affairs.- At present they are in ignorance of the position. They are accepting. men who cannot do the work, and they are being fleeced."

Tlie position in regard to apprentices was also mentioned by the representatives, who said that boys just coming out of their time were not being fairly treated. After serving five years at the trade they had to compete with men who had not "had five minutes' experience, but who offered their services below award rates. Both the Master Painters' Guild and the Employees' Union have decided to meet at intervals for the purpose of discussing any scheme which might be evolved to better the position.