REGISTRATION OF PLUMBERS

Southland Times, Issue 17657, 15 February 1916, Page 2

REGISTRATION OF PLUMBERS

DEPUTATION TO HON. G. W. RUSSELL. A large deputation from the Conference of Master Plumbers waited on the Hon. G. W. Russell at Christchurch on Friday. The proceedings were not open to the press, but the following account of them was handed to the reporters : Mr Colville referred to the endeavour to keep registration open, so as to prevent a close corporation. In the opinion of the conference elderly members should be granted registration without examination. He also stated that the examinations were conducted in such a manner that out of SO men coming forward only 10 were able to pass. He urged that an opportunity should be given to students to take their examinations in stages, as in the case of other examinations. Mr ,1. B. Laurcnson pointed out that in the early stages of the Act it was fully understood that men who had been engaged all their lives in the trade should be registered, but tills had not been the case, and many cases of hardship were known. The speaker gave some illustrations of the hardships that had occurred. Mr Ballinger emphasised the necessity of extending to men of mature age the right to register under clause C of the Act, a right which the Plumbers’ Board denied; and also gave some further instances of hardships that had occurred. Ho referred to the shortage of men which had ensued, owing to the number who had enlisted. The Hon. Mr Russell, in reply, said that the Plumbers' Registration Board was not under his control, being a statutory body. The composition of the hoard was an ideal one in his opinion. With regard to the various matters brought before him by the deputation, he said they would receive his careful consideration-