RE PLUMBERS’ EXAMINATION.

Evening Star, Issue 18336, 25 July 1923, Page 4

RE PLUMBERS’ EXAMINATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Mr Douglas made a statement the other night in which ho said that the “plumbing trade was going back,” and he could not see where the further tradesmen were to como from. Mr Douglas is like the majority of tradesmen, who obtained their “tickets” in tho Dark Ages. Tho tickets were practically given to them, and now tho Plumbers’ Board is making the examinations as still as possible in order to allow a select few to pass at each examination. I do not think, therefore, that Mr Douglas is at all competent to pass such an opinion on the trade. Up till a few years ago candidates were allowed to also lamps for their bending and wiping; now wo havo to use only tho molten metal. In everyday work lamps are used for bonding and wiping, and a much better joint can bo produced, etc., than by molten, metal only. No doubt the board is preventing a largo majority of men passing the examination by giving us these tilings to do, which wo would never dream of doing in everyday work. I quite understand what the poor plumber lias to put up with, and it is no wonder that quite a number of young fellows aro giving up tho trade, as we havo to pass such a silly examination. I am quite sure that, were the board* to allow us the use of lamps in the examination, there would be just as good tradesmen now as in the days gone_ by. I was a candidate in the last examination, and I am sure there was not a good joint wiped by one of us, all for (he want of a lamp.—i am, etc., Tradesman. July 23.