Builders' Representations

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 13927, 4 August 1905, Page 5

Builders' Representations

THE PREMIER'S REPLY.

Per j?ress iAssoeiatiom. Wellington, Augxist 3. j Mr ,W. tTacques, President oi the Federals- poujncil .pi the^JSTew Zealand ißuilders, artdr other members of the Executive, waited on the 1 Premier and submitted '.^certain resolutions that had been passed regarding t necessary amendments in" the 'Machinery Actj |the ' Workmen's Lien Act, and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. In regard; to the Lien Act they 'asked'' that provision^ be made whereby an owner < shall give notice to a contractor' of 'his intention to deal in any way . with the land, upon which* buildings are' being erected, or havp been .erected,, for which a contractor's claim is not satisfied. The deputation, - ; further \f asked that in clause 2.f of the, >' Arbitration Act the words /'engaged s in an inidtistry " be struck out, and the words " iniclu'do'd in the award without citation" bo iiiset'ted.-. • ,In regard to Government contracts . they asked that bondsmen .be dispensed with' and cash deposits be substituted, a.s follows : — Five per ceitt. up to £5006, 2i per cent up to ' £15,000, and 1£ per cent, aver £15^000.

The Premier informed the ileputatioti'that he would . consult, the Minister for Public Worl>s jn regard to the matters connected with his I>e J partment. In regard to the •qjuestion of bondsmen in ' connection with conI tracts, Mr Seddon.'said the Goyerniment had j no desire io hamper contractors. As to amonying thd Arbitration Ae.t, he mentioned that a bilL with. that object in view would be brought down this session. He i would- , consider any amendments the

builders had •to propose, ami if possible give .effect , to them. The desire of the Government was to perfect the Act. -' ' '