MASTER PAINTERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 48

MASTER PAINTERS.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. WANGANUI, February 28 The annual conference of the New Zea-, land Master Painters’ Association was commenced in Wanganui to-day. Delegates from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, and Wanganui were present. The Mayor extended a formal welcome to the delegates. At the evening business session the time was largely taken up with the annual report, which dealt with matters of a, routine nature. The report was adopted. February 29. The conference was continued to-day. The following remits were carried:— That an effort be made to have steel sashes standardised to suit regular stock sizes of glass. That the question of the ins of employees and apprentices be taken up by the New Zealand Federation with a view to obtaining a reduction in the rates and charges. That the New Zealand Inititute of Architects be approached in an endeavour to have sub-progress payment certificates issued to sub-contractors on all jobs, stating the amount which they are to receive from the contractor on the original progress certificate issued to them from time to time.

That all affiliated unions undertake ’o take action through their respective p prenticeship committees, and, if ssary, before the Arbitration Court to secure a reduction in the scale of wages payable to apprentices to the standard rates adopted by the court.

That the conference urges all affiliated unions and allied employers’ or'-.-inisations to make representations piior to the next session of Parliament, both directly through local members of Parliament and to the Minister of Labour, pressing for legislation to relieve employers from the iniquitous position they are at present m. of having to pay apprentices full wages during the time such boys are absent at compulsory military camps.

, March 2. J he conference was concluded to-day A remit from Wanganui asked that the federation register a protest against the continued interference and trading competition of the Government departments, education boards, and others, and that the incoming executive be authorised to join forces with any other traders in a like way concerned. The matter was left in the hands of the executive.

“ That merchants supplying goods for the painting and decorating trades be asked .to allow members of various affiliated unions a preferential discount on goods supplied,” was the wording of a remit from Christchurch, which was carried.

A matter brought up for discussion concerned the present unsatisfactory method of registration of painters. It was stated that the practice of inexperienced painters setting themselves up as bona vide tradesmen was detrimental to the trade, and there ought to be better protection made both for the trade itself and in the interests of the public.

The election of officers resulted as follows :—President, Mr T. A. Wells (Wellington) ; vice-presidents, Messrs E. J. Bell (Christchurch) and J. Abbott (Dunedin) ; secretary and treasurer, Mr C-ecil Prime ; Executive Committee—Messrs T. M. Collins, E. Lockwood, G. Soy, W. Harris, A. Lee, W. A. Poulson, and P. Tonkin.

It was decided to hold the next conference in Wellington.