THE MASTER PLUMBERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19563, 16 February 1927, Page 14

THE MASTER PLUMBERS.

CONFERENCE IN AUCKLAND. ' MENACE OF COMPETITION. "TRADE BECOMING DECADENT." The annual conference of the NSw Zea-, land Federation of Master Plumbers opened yesterday. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. A. Warnock, welcomed the delegates; and the president, Mr. N. A. Kyle and Messrs. J. S Douglas (Dunedin), W. M. King (Wellington), 11. Darnel (Christchurch) and A. Dix (Invercargill) replied. In commenting on the annual report and balance-sheet, the president said he was pleased to say that .the finances the federation were again satisfactory. He .congratulated the outgoing executive »n its activities during the past year, and thanked the Wellington members for the great work th,ey had put into the affairs of the federation. Be mentioned that Wanganui had become an affiliated branch of the federation, and he trusted that further affiliations would come to hand during the coming year. "In this manner we shall be able to work iii the best interests of the trade," he said. "I cannot let this opportunity pass without expressing my regret that our trade seems to be getting into a more decadent state. Very few opportunities are given to men pi ability to build up businesses owing to the ease with which competition is created. And it is created frequently by men with only a kit of tools who, once they are registered, are allowed to take out permits to do work. I hope that this grave menace to the trade will be combatted strongly this year." Alluding to the business of the conference, Mr. Kyle said a number of important remits would come up for consideration. If it were possible to have legislation passed or by-laws framed along the lines of many of them great benefits would result to the trade. He suggested that the incoming officers should exert themselves in seeking legislation to protect the trade in connection with the apprenticeship problem, universal by-laws, issuing of permits and, the matter of journeymen working on Sundays and holidays. He congratulated Mr. J. S. Douglas on the able manner in which he had represented the federation on the Plumbers' Board—his thirteenth consecutive year in the position. "The delegates will be asked - to discuss proposals by a Building Trades Conference of Auckland, which has for its ultimate object the registration of all employers and employees "connected 'with, the building trade," Mr. Kyle continued. "The Auckland Master Plumbers' Association took no part in this conference or in the framing of the resolutions you are asked to consider. It was the opinion of the association that its aims were not very likely to be placed 011 the statute book and it was not a party to the suggestions in any way."The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Several remits Were ' considered yesterday, and the business of the Conference will be continued to-morrow. K To-day will, be occupied by a picnic to Titirangi, one of the items on a comprehensive entertainment programme arranged for the visitors.