Master Builders’ Conference

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 48, 26 February 1943, Page 3

Master Builders’ Conference

PRESIDENT’S CRITICISM Of “NEW ORDER” The forty-third conference of the New Zealand Federated Builders’ and Contractors' Industrial Association of Employers opened In Palmerston North yesterday afternoon, the president, Mr. C. S. Lunoy, Christchurch presiding. Delegates were present from all parts of the Dominion. Mr. A. E. Allan, president of the Manavvatu Master Builders’ Association, extended a welcome to the president of the N.Z. Federation, the members of the executive and to the visiting delegates. He hoped that their stay in Palmerston North would be a pleasant one and that the conference would be a wonderfully successful one. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr. G. Tremaine, after apologising for the unavoidable absence of the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford). extended the city's welcome. He mentioned that a very big part of the country’s war effort had fallen to the lot of the builders, who had every reason to be proud of what they had done. He also mentioned the part they had played following the major earthquakes which had done tremendous damage last year. “You gentlemen have a big responsibility and you are carrying that responsibility remarkably well,” said Mr. Tremaine. Air. Euney said that some of the visitors had very happy recollections of a previous conference held in Palmerston North and that they looked forward to renewing friendships made. After speaking of the “most beautiful city in New Zealand—Christchurch,”- Mr. Euney admitted that Christchurch and Palmerston North had much in common. He referred more particularly to the fact that both cities had been promised new railway stations. He was sure that the delegates would all benefit from their stay In Palmerstoi) North. Mr. Luney said that, without losing sight of Uie Japanese menace, there was no doubt that the position of the Allied Nations was much more secure than 15 months ago when builders throughout the Dominion were working at high pressure on defence work and unable to spare the time to attend a conference. He added that this year’s conference would give them the chance of discussing* problems, the solution of which should facilitate the prosecution of the balance ot defence construction and rehabilitation so far as it affected the building industry. Never before had builders been confronted with so many changes than during the last two years. He then briefly outlined some of the new legislation to which the industry had to udapt itself. lie mentioned, among other things, the building construction control, labour suspension order, travelling time, cement restriction, timber supply, transfer of labour, and he contended that all these things were proof that the builders had had a strenuous time. Speaking about industry generally', Mr. Luney said: "Never before have so many done so* little for so much.'*

Referring to the mythical new order, the president said: “Don’t let our equilibrium be affected by all this wishful thinking. There are all kjnds of proposals for the alleged improvement of the industry. But are all these proposals for the betterment of the industry as a whole or are they going to suit one section only? Will they be the means of increasing costs? f lf so, can the industry' carry increased costs? Can the country afford increased building costs? Will they tend towards more Government interference? These are the questions we must ask ourselves because we are the people who have to control and operate the industry and we should oppose any legislation which we consider not to be in the best interests of the industry and the general public. '* The president continued that progress was not achieved by tossing overboard something, despite its defects, offered some measure of certainty and stability', for a new order which, by virtue of imperfect planning and conception, could result in nothing but chaos and bewilderment. He stated he was not satisfied that the remedies introduced up to date were in the best interests of the worker, the employer, or the community generally. He added: “When I turn my mind back to the contemplation of those permanent and beautiful products of an earlier (and to our enlightened eyes) decadent period, which products have withstood the ravages of time, and make a mental comparison with the products of to-day’, I wonder whether we have really progressed.” The annual report was adopted on the motion of the president and Mr. 11. js. Townsliend (vice-president), of Palmerston North, who stated that it was a lino record of the association’s activities. lie said that though private enterprise was being pushed out of the industry, it was quite all right during war. lie added, however, that the Britisher was a man who liked his independence, tic thought the work carried out by the builders had been a credit to them. He congratulated the president and the secretary (Mr. W. J. Mountjoy) on the excellent report. After the tea adjournment the conference went straight ahead with the consideration of remits, the first of which referred to proposed amendments to the rules of the association.