USE OF SCRIM.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17428, 12 April 1922, Page 7

USE OF SCRIM.

CONDEMNED BY PAINTERS. ALLEGED MENACE TO HEALTH. inESS ASSOCIATION TEUWRAM.) WELLINGTON, April 11. Surprising statements were made to the Ministe* of Healt.ii (the Hon. C. J. Parr) by a deputation from tho executive of the New Zealand Federation of Master Painters. Speaker** urged that there was need for more inspection of interiors of houses to prevent tho covering up of old scrim, which harboured vermin and was a menace to h<-alth. They appreciated what the Minister had done in the last six months in the way of the cleaningup of cities; better than most people painters knew the inside of houses, and they appreciated the energy of the Minister in insisting on cleanliness and sanitation. They desired that- an interior inspection of buildings should be carried out. At present front yards, back yards, and emks were inspected, nnd that was as far as inspection went. What they wanted was to have the whole house inspected once a year. The Minister enquired wherein lay the danger inside the house. The president replied that it was in connexion with old scrim, which they were covering up day in and day out. There was filth that he was sure tba Minister had no idea- of. Old scrim, especially on ceilings, afforded harbour S'or numerous bugs. Answering the Minister, the president said the suggestion was that thero should be one inspector in each centre. He should be a man with painting and paperhanging experience. The Minister: What sort of bugs are they?

The president, said that they were ordinary house bugs. They were found behind pictures and under scrim. The conditions in some private houses were worse than in eome of the public places recently visited by the Minister. If what they suggested were done, they felt that instead of covering up old sorim and papers they could appeal to the Minister with a view to having the insanitary scrim cut out.

Speakers also stated that they wanted painters to be licensed and registered in the same way as plumbers. Inspection inside was equally important with the inspection of plumbers' work. If painters were registered, they could be putunder penalty if they did bad or insanitary work. The appointment of painters' inspectors would not mean an increase in the number of inspectors, but only providing that Bomo of the number now appointed tfliould have had painting experience. The deputation made it plain that painters did not want the proprietors of property to bo put to undue expense. The process of exterminating bugs was to pull off the old paper r.-nd scrim, and spray tilie place with sheep dip or some other strong disinfectant. They did not ask that scrim should be done away with altogether, but only from ceilings. There were several good substitntes, such as artificial boards, that could ba used. The Minister asked if much scrim was used on ceilings. The deputation replied that there was more in Wellington than in anj other place. Ninety-nine houses out of a hundred hod it. It was not so much used in- Auckland, where boards were more favoured. It was not used in America or' Australia, and one speaker who had served his apprenticeship in Melbourne said that scrim was not allowed there. Plaster was used very largely, and could be washed and disinfected. More scrim came into New Zealand, proportionately, than into any country. " Hotels and'boarding-houses were fairly o;ood. • The trouble was lamely in private houses. The Minister said that he appreciated their support in the clean-up campaign. He_ hail been astounded, on making visits, at the condition of some places, but he hoped that the local authorities and his own officers were now keeping a close eye on kitchens, shops, and stores. What they said was news to him, and he thought it would be to many people. He could'not make any promise as to what action would be taken. If it meant additional expense, he could not look at it just now. but if it were a case of reorganising the inspection only, there was no reason why the lequest should not be complied with. Local authorities under the recent Health Act had ample power for interior inspection, and to make cleansing orders. Ho would confer with his officers in regard to their requests.