THE TRADESMEN’S VIEW.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21995, 3 July 1933, Page 13

THE TRADESMEN’S VIEW.

PROPERTY DETERIORATING. SKILLED LABOUR AVAILABLE. A TIME OF OPPORTUNITY. In discussing with a. Daily Times representative the prospects of a revival in the building trade and the stimulus of the subsidy scheme Mr W. G. Baird,

secretary of the Carpenters and Joiners’ Union, said that from the carpenters’ point of view the building trade for some years has been steadily and relentlessly declining. The very small number of building permits that are being issued reveals the unenviable po-

aition in which the trade stands. As a result of the stagnation in the building trade close on 500 carpenters in and around Dunedin have been forced to seek the relief offered by the No. 5 Scheme.

Belief work, said Mr Baird, is unskilled work, and the skill of the tradesman is not tequired in the performance of it. In our opinion it is an economic waste to the community to have a largebody of skilled tradesmen employed on unskilled work. They would become an asset to the community if they were afforded an opportunity of earning their living in the trade in which they were trained.

It is not only the present for which provision must be made. Steps must also he taken to safeguard the future. As little or no building is being proceeded with, the younger tradesmen, and particularly those who have just completed their apprenticeship, will he lacking that training so essential to the young journeyman, while the youths at present serving their apprenticeships are not getting the essential practice at their work, and they have no opportunity now of seeing work done that will enable them to qualify as competent tradesmen.

It is a tragedy that thousands of capable craftsmen, anxious to follow- the occupation for which they have' fitted themselves, can find no outlet for their talents.

It is not that there is no work for ■them to do, for almost in every street the observant person will see buildings that are being allowed to deteriorate for want of a little timely attention. Owners of these properties will discover to their cost that the saving of a small expenditure for repairs now will necessitate a formidable expenditure in the near future. This applies to public and commercial buildings as well as dwellings, and I am on safe ground in stating that now is the time to renovate and build, as prices for labour and local materials are at bedrock. As trade revives these prices will increase.

I hold the opinion strongly, said Mr Baird in conclusion, that this depression is largely due to a lack of confidence by the individual, and I seriously suggest that a wonderful improvement would take place if the individual showed more confidence and anticipated the requirements of to-morrow.