BUILDERS MEET

Hutt News, Volume 15, Issue 43, 22 April 1942, Page 5

BUILDERS MEET

* I The annual meeting of the Hutt Valley Builder.**' Association was ! held recently, when thirty-two •members attended and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:— President, Mr. W. E. Jones (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs R. Scholes and L. Crimes; executive committee: Messrs A. Stunnell, H. C. Morion. D. Murray, C. Whitcher, M Niolsen, A. J. Beazley, W. H. McGowan, and E A. Briscoe. Arrangements were put in hand for a combined social gathering for the employers in the building and ] allied tnicies in the Valley. Executive's Keport. The following are the more im--1 portant matters which engaged the attention of the executive for the J past year: — Co-operative Venture: The matter - of outstanding importance aft fected the affairs of members during the past year was the Association's decision to organise a cooperative movement among it£ members for the purpose of carrying • out in the first instance, Govern- ? ment Housing Work on a joint basis 5 and secondly applying the same ■ principle to the execution "of Defence Contracts. To put this scheme into operation it was necessary tc incorporate a limited liability company and the H.B.V Construction Company was formed. This company has now commenced opera: tions and indications point to its success. Industrial Matters: The general 2 shortage of skilled and unskilled 3 labour consequent upon the withi drawill of men from the building trades has caused innumerable difli- ) culties. Many lirms have been i shorn of their best men and are i- carrying on with limited, and in I some cases, untrained stall's. They 3 are, iiowever, making the best of I the position and producing good re--5 suits. The Branch had occasion to I consult with the organisers of the recently launched Trainees' Scheme I and as a result a committee has ! been set up to co-operate with the - organisers to secure the best results. [ J'etrol Restrictions: Mr. M. O. Browning was appointed to repreI sent the committee on the Oil Fuel Control Committee, and although 5 his services have been called upon I on many occusions, it is a matter of - regret that he has not been giver the full powers which other members of the committee possess. Charge Hates for Jobbing Work: During the year a scale of charges was agreed upon and members were asked to work with this schedule. Membership": Four new members were entered on the membership re i cords for the past year. Owing to - withdrawal for war service several notified their inability to carry on active membership, but their effective membership was duly maintained in accordance with the Association's policy.