Suggestion to Grade Carpenters

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 41, 18 February 1938, Page 8

Suggestion to Grade Carpenters

BUILDERS TAKE NO ACTION Carpenters are like eggs. Some are good, some are bad and some are new laid, declared a delegate at the New Zealand Builders’ Conference in Palmerston North yesterday when the question as to whether carpenters could be graded in accordance with their ability, was being discussed. The same delegate thought such a scheme impracticable. The Hutt Valley delegate, Mr. W. E. Jones, thought that if there was some grading scheme, builders would know the men they were getting and arrangements could be made for them to receive remuneration in accordance with their ability. The first class man w'ould be compensated for his better workmanship. Mr. W. Mill (Wellington) thought employers might pass on information as to the qualifications of the men they dispense with. In answer to this, however, Mr. Cornish (Auckland) pointed out that the views of builders differed as to the ability of a man. The president, Mr. W. A. Petrie (Timaru) thought that builders could grade the men themselves. There must be something wrong with the man who made a call every week for a job. Mr. T. N. Dickson (Wanganui) felt that builders might report to placement officers as to a man’s qualifications for the benefit of others. No action was taken.