I THE YEAR IN BUILDING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 94, 18 October 1909, Page 2

I THE YEAR IN BUILDING.

REVIEW OF THE TRADE. ARBITRATION AND INSURANCE. Though the building trade has suffered with other trades from the financial stringency, there seems every prospect, according to the annual report of the Wellington Builders and Contractors' Association, of a revival in business and a return of prosperity. The belief is expressed that the trade and commercial conditions of the Dominion are settling down on a more solid foundation than formerly, and that future business will be carried on under a sounder finance. Reference is made in the report to the Arbitration Act and accident insurance, i The constant promotion of disputes by each section of workers had, according to the report, created a demand for a ' comprehensive scheme that would secure one sot of working conditions for all workers. Efforts had been made to j have the various branches of the trade declared related in accordance with the provisions of the Arbitration Act, but the Minister for Labour could not see his way to move in the matter. The proposal had, generally speaking, been well received by the various unions to which it had been submitted. They had assisted the scheme by agreeing to awards recently made expiring on one date. In regard to the hearing of enforcement cases by magistrates, the report records- the objection of employers to such a procedure, it being contended that the court making the industrial award is the proper one to interpret such an award., The last amending Arbitration Act was recognised as an improvement, and an honest attempt to rectify the inequalities of the previous Acts. Further amendment would be required before it could be considered equitable and fair in its operation to both workers and employers. On the matter of accident insurance the report states that the contract entered into by the association some three or four years ago for securing cover at a reasonable i-ate has expired. Efforts had been made to obtain a continuance of the reduced rates. It was found, however, that all the companies carrying oil business nere vrere bound by a tariff, which they refused to break, although the association was prepared to pledge its members to insure with any company promising a reasonable rebate on current rates. The matter is to be considered at the next conference of the Federated Builders' Association. Finally, with regard to the future, the year now being entered upoii is de> scribed as bomg likely co prove of great importance to city builders and contractors. Not only is there the matter of the Arbitration Awards expiring in July next and the new scheme for one set of awards, but there is also the consideration of the revisal of the general conditions of contract proposed by the New Zealand Institute of Architects. All these matters will be dealt with at the approaching annual conference, to be held at Christchurch on the 2nd November.