PAINTERS AND DECORATORS

Evening Star, Issue 21036, 25 February 1932, Page 15

PAINTERS AND DECORATORS

CONFERENCE OF MASTER MEN THE EMPLOYMENT OF APPRENTICES The Apprentices Act, anti the present position regarding the employment of apprentices wore the principal matters discussed at the annual conference of the New Zealand Federation of blaster Painters and Decorators, continued in the Embassy Salon yesterday, when the president (Air A. H. Penny, of Auckland) was in the chair. There were throe remits on this subject, and it was pointed out that at present the conditions imposed constituted a distinct hardship on employers, particularly in the building trade, through haring to pay apprentices full wages when there was not sufficient work to keep them employed full time. It was also stated that the position was unfair to the boys, in -that they were not being taught the trade as the result of slackness of trade.—lt was decided to approach the Minister of Labour and seek several amendments which would make for greater elasticity and afford an opportunity of temporarily overcoming the situation. Consideration was also given to the necessity of encouraging boys to enter skilled trades. The experience of the past five or six years, however, would mean that employers would be loth to take on apprentices without a greater flexibility of the conditions of apprenticeship contracts. —Several suggestions were referred to the executive of the federation to place before the Government with a view to having the Apprentices Act amended. Further remits dealt with the unemployment of skilled tradesmen, and it was decided to approach the Unemployment Board ana the State Advances Department, and endeavour to have small advances made to house owners for necessary renovations and repairs which would give employment to journeymen in skilled building and allied trades, such as plumbing, painting, etc. It was decided to seek the prohibition of the uso of slippery graphite paints on roofs, and to support the Master Plumbers’ Federation in its action in connection with this matter, on account of the danger accruing to workmen from this practice.

Other remits dealt with alterations to the rules of the federation, scatfolding regulations; and the period of maintenance following the completion of work. Several other remits of technical and purely trade interest wore also considered. VALUE OF THE FEDERATION.

The benefits accruing to the trade as the result of the federation’s activities was the chief topic of the addresses given in the evening at a highly successful smoke concert, in the Somerset Lounge. The President of the Otago Master Painters’ Association (Mr A. Glue) was in the chair, and extended a welcome ,to the visiting delegates. “ I thought that the federation was a parasite—in fact, that all federations were parasites—but since I have had more intimate connection with the Otago Association I have altered my opinion, and have come to realise that the federation did valuable work in the interests of painters, and was deserving of every credit,” said Mr A. Glue, in proposing the toast of “ The New Zealand Master Painters’ Federation.”

In reply, the President of the federation (Mr A. H. Penny) said that formerly he had been of the same opinion as Mr Glue regarding the federation, but later he had gained different ideas, and after being on the body for eight years ho knew it was a force to ho reckoned with. The painting trade was suffering with everything else on account of the difficult times, and much important work had to be put off, but it made them realise more than ever the need for co-operation. He thought, however, that the social side of the conference was more important than the business side, as it enabled the members from the different cities to come into friendly contact with one another, and establish bonds which were valuable to the trade. At this stage the mayor (Mr 1L S. Black) joined the company, and after extending a welcome to the visiting delegates, entertained the gathering with some humorous anecdotes, which were heartily appreciated. Mr P. Findlay proposed the toast of “ Allied Trades,” and spoke of the excellent feeling that existed between the various trades in the city and the benefit of the Allied Trades Association. “ 1 have noticed that tl.ic conference has discussed matters which were of vital interest to all trades,” said Mr J. S. Douglas, who replied on behalf of the plumbers. He had just returned from the Master Plumbers’ Conference at Wellington, where one of the principal questions raised had been the operation of the Liens Act. It had. he said, been a bugbear since it had ocen introduced in 1892. Ho had attended every conference since 1901, and the Lions Act had always been a bone of contention, and in its present form was practically inoperative. He emphasised the need for master men to form themselves into unions, or some such organisation, and then with further unity form a federation, which was the only effective way for obtaining the muchdesired reforms. Individual effort was useless, and ho concluded by stressing tbo importance of master men realising the value of unity. Mr Walter Ellis, in replying on behalf of the builders of the city, said that during his long association with federations ho had boon convinced that this method was the only way of solving their problems. The toast of “Visiting Delegates” was proposed by Mr J. Abbott, who said that the conference would look very bare without the presence of visiting delegates, and it was to bo regretted that unfortunate circumstances had prevented other delegates from attending. Replies were made by Messrs G. Sev (Christchurch), T. A. Wells (Wanganui), 0. Allomes (Wanganui), and F. U. Ward (Thnaru). Other toasts honoured were;—“The Merchants,” proposed by Mr J. W. Watkins and replied to hy Mr W. 13. Fowler, and “The Otago Association,” proposed by Mr E. J. Bell and replied to by Mr M, Hanley; “The Secretaries,’ proposed by Mr A. Glue and replied to by Messrs 1). I. MacDonald and A. S. Cookson.

On tlie expiration of his term of office as president of the New Zealand Federation, Mr A. U. Fenny was presented by Mr Sey, on behalf of llio executive and members, with the past president’s medallion.—Mr Penny made a suitable reply. During the evening items were given as follows, urgent demands for encores being made in each ease: —Songs, Messrs C. C. Scott and S. G. Angell; trumpet solos, Mr W. B. Fowler; elocutionary items and anecdotes, Mr S. Osborn. The accompaniments were played by Mr B. D- Rogers, whoso offerings contributed materially to the success of the evening.