FEDERATED COUNCIL OF BUILDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12066, 9 September 1902, Page 6

FEDERATED COUNCIL OF BUILDERS.

J he annual session of the Federated Coun- ■ cil of Builders and Contractors was commowed afc the room? of the Auckland ; Builders' Association, Victoria Arcade, yes- | terday forenoon, .Mr. H. Pearce (president I of the council), Wellington, in the chair. , The other delegates were: — Messrs. .las. ' Greig (secretary), Wellington; W. H. Bowen and R. L. Scott, Canterbury; G. Carter, South Canterbury: ,)no. Lnnn and A. Pollard, Dunedin; W. H. Bennett, Wellington; X. King and Win. Rosser, Taranaki; ! \\. E. Hutchinson, J. ,1. Holland and S. I. ' Clarke. Auckland. The delegates from .Southern centres were welcomed by Mr. W. E Hutchinson, president of the Auckland association. Correspondence: A letter was read from the Acting-Premier (Sir Joseph Ward) intimating that the Government would inform the council of any Bilks which might be brought before Parliament affecting the business interests of builders and contractors. Letter received. • Chairman's Remarks: Before proceeding to the business on the order paper the Chairman said that since the last annual meeting two meetings of the council had been held. At the first of these it was decided, on the initiative of the Auckland association, to ask the Government to place an export duty on kauri and red pine timber. At tins present rate of consumption the life of the kauri would not last beyond 15 to 20 years, and it was therefore thought desirable'that a duty should be imposed on timber .sent out of the colony. The Government had acceded to the request of the council in this matter. The council had also opposed the claims of workmen that compensation under the Workmen's Compensation for Accidents Act should commence from the time of the mishap, as, with all due deference to the workmen, it was considered that there were those who would knock off at once, however slight the injury sustained might be, if the point was conceded. The Chairman further said that he was strongly opposed to the preference to unionists clause being inserted in arbitration awards, and thought that conciliation boards should be composed of men with an intimate knowledge of the trade on which they sat in judgment. Payment for Government Contracts: The question of the delay on the part of the Government in paying for contracts at Christchurch was introduced by Mi. Bennett, and on the motion of Mr. R. L. Scott it was decided to draw the attention of the Government to the matter and urge that they should facilitate payments. Conditions of Government Contracts: Mr. S. I. Clarke moved, "That this council urge upon the Government to secure to builders and contractors more equitable conditions in Government contracts by inserting an arbitration clause in the conditions." He pointed out that the existing conditions restricted competition, largely owing to the extensive powers in the bands of the Government inspectors, who had the power to decline to approve a job without giving their reasons for so doing. A clause should be inserted in the conditions providing that in cases where the contractors saw no reason for the action of the inspector the matter might be referred to the arbitration of independent experts. After others had spoken in support the motion was unanimously adopted. Protection of Builders: Mr. Bennett moved, That this council represents to the Government the disadvantages builders and contractors labour under in not having a first lien on work contracted for." The mover held that those putting the labour and material into a building should have the first lien on the property in order to insure themselves against probable loss through non-payment on the part of the property owner. It was pointed out that the builders were at considerable risk under the existing conditions through defaulting owners against whom they hud practically no claim and the motion was unanimously adopted. Contractors' Lien Act: Mr. Bennett moved, "That this council respectfully urges the Government to alter and amend the Contractors' Lien Act, the last paragraph of clause 12 to read, as follows:—'On all contracts under £2000 an employer or contractor shall retain one-fourth of the money payable under the contract until the expiration of 31 days after the completion of the works, and on all contracts exceeding £2000 the amount to be kept back bo 10 per cent.' " Several of the delegates spoke to the motion, which was adopted. Bondsmen and Tenders: Mr. Scott moved. "That the clause requiring bondsmen on Government jobs be deleted; that in future tenders be opened where delivered: and that the present schedules be abolished." This was seconded and adopted. Protection from Earthquakes: Mr. Bowen moved. "That a clause be inserted in the general conditions of contracts providing for the protection of contractors from earthquakes." This was agreed to. Appointment of Arbitrators: Mr. Scott drew attention to the fact that the clause in the existing conditions of contract made no provision as to the time to be allowed for the appointment of arbitrators in cases of disputes arising between contractors and the other party or parties concerned. He moved, '"Tht»t an amendment be inserted making it compulsory on the part of those concerned to appoint arbitrators within three weeks from the date of lodging the application referring the dispute to arbitration." After some discussion the matter was left in abeyance until the conference reached the notice of motion tabled re universal conditions of contracts for th* colony. Clerk of Works: Mr. Hutchinson moved, "That a clause be inserted in the conditions of contracts that none but competent men be employed as clerks of works." He said no doubt some ot those present had suffered through incompetent men being era ployed on jobs, and was supported by others of the delegates, who touched on the disadvantages they had laboured under with incompetent clerks of works. The resolution was carried, and ii was decided that the matter should Ik- brought under the notice of the Government.