PROBLEMS FACED BY PAINTERS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23264, 26 February 1941, Page 10

PROBLEMS FACED BY PAINTERS

DISCUSSION AT ANNUAL ‘ CONFERENCE • . A resolution. that the Government i be asked to allow the import of paint • on a basis of quantity rather than of i price was earned at the annual con- ; ierence of the New Zealand Master • Painters’, Decorators’, and Signwriters’ ! Association of Employers yesterday. It > was stated that the imports of paint, ’. based on the prices in 1938, were now ; reduced by half, as the .prices had > risen to double the 1938 figure. ; The president of the association (Mr • G. F. Mazey), in, presenting the annual i report, said that attempts had been • made to check the practice of employees of working outside award ; hours. Journeymen and others, who . had Saturdays free because of the 40- ; hour week, were doing private work to the detriment of the master painter. So far, he said, very little success ■ had been achieved in checking this t practice, but the master painters’ as- ■ ' sedations were • persisting in their • efforts. ! The conference discussed the 12 ; months’ maintenance period required i by the Government in the State hous- ! ing scheme. It was stated that, this j condition imposed a hardship on painti ers, in so far as they had to comply 1 with the department’s specifications for paint. It was contended that painters should be .allowed to mix their own

paints.- 6 i A statement was received from the j Housing Department, stating that the : Standards Institute, on which inter- | cated parties were represented, was I preparing a standard for paint,' and it was understood that paint manufacturers were prepared to conform to it.

The department was prepared to come .ri' 1 - to a working arrangement‘with painters in the meantime. The conference, which was opened by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. S. Bar- * ■ nett), will continue till Friday.