MASTER PAINTERS’ FEDERATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21578, 25 February 1932, Page 11

MASTER PAINTERS’ FEDERATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE APPRENTICES ACT DISCUSSED. The annual conference of the New Zealand Federation of Master Painters was continued yesterday in the Embassy Salon. The president (Mr A. H. Penny, of Auckland) was in the chair. The principal matter discussed was the Apprentices Act and the present position regarding the employment of apprentices. There were three remits on this subject, and it was pointed out that at present the conditions imposed constituted a distinct hardship on employers, particularly in the building trade, through having to pay apprentices full wages when there was not sufficient work to keep them employed full time. It was also stated that the position was unfair to the boys, in that they Were not being taught the trade as the result of the slackness of trade.— It was decided to approach the Minister of Labour and seek several amendments which would make for greater elasticity and afford an opportunity of temporarily overcoming the position. Further consideration was given to the question of the apprentices, as it was realised to be essential to encourage boys to enter skilled trades. The experience of the past five, or six years, however, would mean that employers would be loth to take on apprentices without a greater flexibility of the conditions of apprenticeship contracts. —Several suggestions were referred to the executive of the federation,to place before the Government with a view to having the Apprentices Act amended. Further remits dealt with the unemployment of skilled tradesmen, and it was decided to approach the Unemployment Board and the State Advances Departnient, and endeavour to have small advances made to house owners for necessary renovations and repairs which would give employment to journeymen in skilled building and allied trades, such as plumbing. painting, etc. It was decided to seek the prohibition of the use of slippery graphite paints on roofs and to support the Master Plumbers’ Federation in its action in connection with this matter, on account of the danger accruing to workmen from this practice. Other remits dealt with alterations, to the rules of the federation, scaffolding regulations, and the period of maintenance following the completion of work. Several other remits of technical and purely trade interest were also considered. A highly enjoyable smoke concert was held in the Somerset Lounge last night. The president of the Otago Master Painters’ Association (Mr A. Glue) was in the chair, and extended a welcome to the visiting delegates. After the loyal toast, Mr Glue proposed the toast of “The New Zealand Master Painters’ Federation.” Years ago, he said, he had thought that the federation was a parasite—in fact, that all federations were parasites—but since he had gained some knowledge in the Otago Association he had altered his opinion, and had come to realise that the federation did valuable work in the interests of painters, and was -deserving of every credit.

Replying, the president of the federation (Mr A. 11. Penny, of Auckland) said that formerly he had been of the same opinion ns Mr Glue regarding the federation, but later he had gained different ideas, and after being on the body for eight years he knew it was a force to be reckoned with. The painting trade was suffering with everything else on account of the difficult times, and much important work had had to be put off, but it made them realise more than ever the need for co-operation. He thought, however, that the social side of the conference was more important than the business side, as it enabled the members from the different cities to come into friendly contact with one another, and establish bonds which were valuable to the trade. On his arrival, the Mayor (Mr R. S. Black) welcomed the visiting delegates to Dunedin, and entertained the company

with some humorous anecdotes, which were heartily appreciated. The toast of “Allied Trades ” was proposed by Mr P. Findlay, wfio spoke of the excellent feeling that existed between the various trades in the city and the benefit of the Allied Trades Association. . , "s Douglas, who replied on behalf of the plumbers, said that he had noticed that the conference had discussed matters which were of vital interest to all trades. He had just returned from the master plumbers’ conference at Wellington, where one of the principal questions raised had been the operations of the Liens Act. It had, he said, been a bugbear since it had been introduced in 1892. He had attended every conference since 1901, and the Liens Act had always been a bone of contention, and in its present form was practically inoperative. He urged upon those present the value of united efforts as represented by Dominion federations, and said that only by such means could they secure the reforms they so badly required. Replying on behalf of the builders of the city, Mr W. Ellis also stressed the value of trades federations, and said that they tried very hard to solve the problems that had worried the tradesmen for years. It -was probable, however, that these problems would continue to worry them for years to come, but there was no doubt that concerted action could achieve results that could never be obtained by individual action.

Mr J. Abbott proposed the toast of “Visiting Delegates,” and mentioned the hearty welcome that always awaited visitors to Dunedin.—Replies were made by Messrs G. Sey (Christchurch), T. A. Wells (Wellington), 0. Allomes (Wanganui), and F. H. Ward (Timaru). Other toasts honoured were:—"The Merchants,” proposed by Mr J. W. Watkins and replied to by Mr W. B. Fowler: and "The Otago Association,” proposed by Mr E. J. Bell and replied to#by Mr M. Hanley; “The Secretaries,” proposed by Mr A. Glue and replied to by Messrs D. 1.. Macdonald and A. S. Cookson. On the expiration of his term of office as president of the New Zealand Federation, Mr A. H. Penny was presented by Mr Sey, on behalf of the executive and members, with the past president’s medallion. —Mr Penny made a suitable reply. During the evening items were given as follows, urgent demands for encores being made in each case;—Songs, Messrs C. C. Scott and S. G. Angell; trumpet solos, Mr W. B. Fowler; elocutionary items and anecdotes, Mr S. Osborn. The accompaniments were played by Mr R. D. Rogers, whose offerings contributed materially to the success of the evening.