THE BUILDING TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19459, 15 October 1926, Page 15

THE BUILDING TRADE.

NATIONAL COUNCIL SCHEME. SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION.' PROPOSALS FOR CONFERENCE. Proposals for the national betterment of the building trade, including suggestions for the registration of all engaged in the industry, will be placed before a conference of allied unions and employers to be held on November 17. The proposals take the form of recommendations from a sub committee, representing employers and employees, set up at a joint conference recent,ly convened by the Guild of Master Painters. The sub-committee recommends that the industry should combine for the purpose of securing a Parliamentary measure to set up for the building industry a national industrial council to bo composed of representatives of unions of employers and employees in equal numbers, with power to obtain Government representation and the co-operation of experts. The duties of the council would be: (1) to promote the continuous and progressive improvement of the industry and to advance the well-being and status of all connected with it; (2) to arrange for and carry out the registration of all now engaged in the industry, employers and employees, and provide that, no person be in future admitted to registration as an employer or employee unless he shall have first satisfied the council as to his fitness for admission to the industry. Registration Conditions. It is proposed that registration should be granted to all who, on the passing of the Act, have been engaged in the industry' for six consecutive months, and who shall apply for such regisration within six months after the passing of the Act. no person should be admitted unless he can produce from the Apprenticeship Committee of the trade and district a certificate of his competency for admission.

It is proposed that the council should gather statistics so as to lie able to provide continuous employment for all in the industry and prevent unemployment or wastage of capital or labour. It is further proposed to firrange, in conjunction with apprenticeship committees and technical schools, for adequate facilities for technical training for members of tho industry, the improvement of processes, design and standards of workmanship, apprenticeship, research and the regulation of the conditions of entry into the industry. It is also suggested that the council should issue information to enlighten public opinion regarding the services rendered by the industry, and educate public opinion to demand better services and workmanship. Better Wori; Expected. The council would set up district councils and local councils similar to the existing Apprenticeship Committee; it would seek the assistance of trade unions and employers' association; in fact, any person or organisation which could provide assistance or put forward suggestions enabling the council to the better carry out its functions. The industry would be given definite legal status, which would mean improvement to all engaged in it. It is expected that the standard of work will be improved and at the same time the price to the public for good work will be reduced. Information and experience will be gained which will be invaluable to the industry, to the Government and the public generally, and will stimulate 1 advancement and improvements in other industries. If the joint conference approves the plan a national conference will be called to settle details and place the proposals before Parliament.