PRICES TOO HIGH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17462, 13 February 1925, Page 7

PRICES TOO HIGH.

PLUMBERS COMPLAIN. “ EXPLOITING THE PUBLIC.” Complaints in ‘ connection with the prices, plumbers have to. pay for their material were made at this morning’s sitting of the conference of the Master Plumbers’ Federation. The plumber, it was stated, was blamed by the public for the, high prices, when he had no voice in controlling them. Earlier in the proceedings the conference had referred to tne Remits Committee a remit from Duuedin advocating the formation of a Plumbers* Co-operative Importing and Supply Association, with a- view to effecting a reduction in prices. This morning Mr J S. Douglas, on behalf of the Remits Committee, presented the following report on th® remit: “That local unions consider the proposals contained in the remit and report within three months to the executive their views. One of the main reasons for forwarding this remit is a desire to check, if possible, the general tendency towards increased charges on sanitary materials. sheet lead, traps and drainage fittings. Such material being .% compulsory necessity for use by tbe community, should be made procurable as reasonably as possible. The committee recognised the good services rendered in many lines by supply merchants in the past and trusted that local unions iu forwarding their views would- cpjis.ult such merchants in an effort, first, if possible. towards effecting some remedy of the existing exorbitant charges.” Mr Douglas said that, as master plumbers, they had a duty to the public, and their desire was to. keep prices within reasonable bounds. It was fully recognised that the merchants were not to blame—that they were in the same positiou as the plumbers. Mr AV. Judd said there was an undue margin between the price they bad to pay for sheet lead and the price at which it could lie imported. It was the plumber wbo bad to send the accounts to the public and to exploit the public to get the prices which were asked for lead pipes and sheet lead, and the plumber consequently got the blame of the high prices though it was not his fault. The only remedy he could see was for the plumbers to import for themselves. It was done some years ago. and had had a. good effect. That was the only way to put a check ou the high prices. Plumbers seemed to think there was difficulty in importing for themselves, but that was not the case. “ T am not sure.” he added. “ that I will not have a shot at it when T get back.” Mr W. A. Jenkins said the public blamed the plumber, but the public did not know that the plumber had to pav a 90 per cent advance on the price of A member: piping is down £2 a ton. Another member : I move a vote of thanks to the Press! Mr Douglas’s report was adopted.