SHORTAGE OF PLUMBERS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29444, 21 February 1961, Page 19

SHORTAGE OF PLUMBERS

Serious Position Seen

to. Press Association) PALMERSTON N, Feb. 20. Occasional shortages of materials in the plumbing industry were trivial, compared with the serious shortage of skilled tradesmen in the Industry, the president of the New Zealand Society of Master Plumbers (Mr W R Edyvane) told the society's annual conference la Palmerston North today. "Unless something is done to remedy this shortage I feel the industry will be unable to play its full part in the rapid expansion that is now taking place all over the country," he added.

Housing and commercial work had been increased considerably, and industry and maintenance work also claimed some of the labour force of plumbers. “This year, with 58 fewer apprentices, it does not seem that the shortage Of skilled labour is improving. This decrease is not because the boys are not seeking apprenticeships, but because some members are failing to take and train apprentices.” Mr Edyvane said he could not urge too strongly that associations endeavour to persuade their members to train their full quota of apprentices. If this was done it would mean the entry of 600 more apprentices into the trade without any variation of proportion. "Another reason for the shortage is that the granting of extra apprentices to those members who can and are willing to take and train them is invariably opposed by the employers* representatives,” he said.