THE PRINTING TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19452, 7 October 1926, Page 15

THE PRINTING TRADE.

NUMBER OF APPRENTICES. TRAINING FOR LINOTYPES. DOMINION EVIDENCE COMPLETED Evidence taken by the Arbitration Court in tlie different centres regarding the proportion of apprentices in the printing and related trades was completed in Auckland yesterday when tire .proposal to have the Printing Trades Apprenticeship Order amended was considered. The union's main contention was that jobbing experience was essential in the training of linotype operators, and attention was also drawn to the decrease in the scope for bookbinders. , Mr. G. C. Codlin and Mr. N. Mcßobie appeared for the employers, and Mr. C. H. Chapman for the union.

Mr. C6dlin mentioned that the employers' representatives in Christchurch and Wellington had dealt, with many important phases of the matter and the Auckland employers were in full accord with the very thorough analysis of the position that had been put forward by Mr. B. L. Hammond. Particular attention was directed to the proposals of the unions to further restrict the numbers of apprentices who might be trained in the. various branches of the printing trade, especially in the typographical sections, where tho number of apprentices had for years past been below tho requirements of tho industry. In consequence a number of men had been engaged to como to New Zealand from abroad, and many had been attracted by the knowledge that positions were available. Employers in tho newspaper business had no desire to look beyond New Zealand for men to operate their machines; they preferred New Zealanders and found they had efficient and loyal servico from those trained in their own offices. Mr. Mcßobie said the newspaper business and the related printing trades were quito distinct. Mr. Justice Frazer: We quite appreciato that. It has been made clear on many occasions. Encouraging Apprentices. Mr. Mcßobie said the apprentices in Auckland were more fortunate than those in other parts of New Zealand. There was a good class at the Technical College. The printing trade offered congenial employment, the workers were well paid, and instead of restricting tho number of apprentices, greater facilities should he afforded well-educated lads to follow this occupation rather than that they should be forced to take up some other calling which was not so, attractive and certainly less remufierative. Mr. Chapman said the term served in the composing room prior to apprenticeship on the linotypes was too short. The real reason why members of the union were anxious for three years' training in hand compositors' work for typesetting machine apprentices was that, being practical men, they knew this training gave the best insight and knowledge to the work. ' The employers called evidence to the effect that apprenticeship in hand-setting was not absolutely necessary, and that many competent operators had passed through their apprenticeship in the bulk, stone and machine departments only. riie evidence of the union witnesses was that a mail was not a thoroughly competent operator unless he had served his time at the case. State of Bookbinding Trade. Interesting evidence was given by •witnesses \Vho were called to describe the position of the bookbinding trade. They said the_ corning of loose-ledger work and the invention of automatic bookbinding machines had minimised the scope of the bookbinder, and held that in a fewyears it would be very difficult for those who were now apprenticed to the trade to find work. Mr. Mcßobie, in reply to the Court, said he did not dispute the contention that the scope for bookbinders had been affected by modern conditions, but it would be wrong to say that no work would be found for apprentices undergoing training. There was plenty of work at the present time fnr the "bookbinders in the city. His Honor: This completes the round of evidence on the subject. We have heard of the conditions in Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin, and now wo have the Auckland evidence we will be able to announce our decision concerning all of them. Decision was reserved.