THE PLUMBING TRADE

Evening Star, Issue 15293, 19 September 1913, Page 2

THE PLUMBING TRADE

. ■ AN INTERESTING SPEECH, la the-course of' an interesting address at Wednesday’s meeting of the Plumbci-s’ Industrial Union of Employers, the President (Mr J. S. Douglas) said:—Let me make a few remarks on the history of the master plumbers and the union during the past 12 months. We have had a strenuous year trying in some’ small measure to place our craft (which has been degenerating during recent years into a baro osistenco of livelihood) upon a more, favorable and equitable condition between man and man, also supplier and consumer. The vast majority of the master plumbers are members of our union, and the same applies to, our craft throughout the Dominion, and from, investigations during my recent visit to Australia I find that the plumbing craft over there ,aro moving in similar‘lines for a hetterrn 1 c ! 1 t of tho unsatisfactory conditions which have existed. Now, let me tell •i°u that this betterment of conditions that wo are striving for is no monopoly or excessive charges, as some of our opponents have tried to impute, but only an nonest, straightforward, and square deal. Our by-laws, ably drafted provide for a penalty being inflicted upon any member who should make an exorbitant charge, and our records can show that wo have on several occasions protected tho public m this respect. The members of our union invito competition, and when vou Know that there .aro about 40 firms members of our local union, I need not tell you that tho competition is very keen. I think I have taken up more than the time allotted to me, hut I am sure you will hear with me while ,1 refer to the great advancement in the interests of-health by sanitation through tile Government of the day placing the Plumbers Registration Act on the Statute Book. Another important measure that this union are interesting themselves in is the Lien Act. In connection with our Technical School we are also going to show our practical sympathy in donating a prize, to tho ■plumbing students who show the best proficiency in both practical and theoretical work during the year, and generally to encourage in every wav the attendance of our apprentices at that school. As a union we have given deal of attention to questions affecting the ratepayers and general public controlled by tho union’s local authorities, and wo feel satisfied that onr actions have been endorsed by tho apnroval of the Drainage Board in curtailing and modifying the by-laws, so as to make the cost as low as'possible, vitn, at tho same time, a thorough! v sanitary connection. During the year wc met tho Architects’ Institution, and pointed out to that body what we considered a grave and unnecessarv hardship, of which the ratepayers 'had to boar the burden. I refer to tendering on existing storm-water drains, and the result is . that tho architects have acceded to our request, ami that tho householder is only called upon to pfy for tho actual work done. This is also approved of by tho drainage engineer In conclusion I should like to sav thisthat our union have fully ustifie'd their position. Mo work on a very small margin of profit; make a small'levy on our mcmbois to meet office expenditure and if there is any balance left over after meeting our liabilities, wo do not forget charity. Wo return the surplus i ? V lO ,, P u ,hhc in donating to some "charitable institution. Such are the aims and objects .drafted by Mr W D Stewart, approved of by the Registrar m Wellington, and Mr A. A. Hopcraft is our executive officer as secretary, so _ I think that these names are sufficient to secure tho utmost good faith and confidence of tho public, and -that the public will in return recognise the protection and value they will receive from ns by insisting and dealing only with master plumhers, who must give a square deal. Tho public are also requested to assist the union by forwarding any complaints, such as overcharges or breaches of the hv-laws to the secretary, when they will receive immediate attention.