Levin Builders Form Branch Of Association

Chronicle (Levin), 8 December 1948, Page 4

Levin Builders Form Branch Of Association

+ : A branch .of the Manawatu Master -^Builders' Association was formed in- Levin last night. This decision was made «by a meetihg 6f 20 builders after a two-hour disdussion With offieials and execUtive members of the association. The branch elected Mr.- G. Ci France preSident (pro tem) and when a set of rules has been drawn up a further meeting will be called to elect ofRcers. ! ' One of the most urgent matters which' will probably be taken up wiil be the question of providing timber cfor builders in Levin. At preseht the town was without a fcimber retail • merchant, it was stated, and Supplies were coming to hand very spasmodically. The meeting was held in the Oddfellows' Hall and was presided over by the president Of the Manawatu association, Mr; J. P, Wflson. Also pfesent was a past president, Mr. W. B. Bodell,- the Vice-presi'dent, Mr. J. Sylva, the. acting-secretary, Mr. F.- G. M. Parkinson and two executive mem'bers, Messrs. L. Arnott and H. C. Bodell.

Mr. Wilson welcomed tnose pres-j .^nt'and explaine'd the purpose of the meeting. He said that should a branch of his association be formed in Levin, it would operate entirely on its own. He explained, the working of the association and the financial terms, While locaii builders wouid be members of the Levin branch, they would also automatically become members of the parent body. Mr. W. B. Bodell said that he had been a member of the association for 25 years and .had found it a great benefit. He detailed, some of the advantages to 'be gained from it. Following further discussion, it was formally moved "that a branch of the Manawatu Master Builders' Association be formed by this meeting, to be known as the Manawatu Master Builders' Association, Levin branch." It was later decided to add the proviso that this action should be taken oni'y if 10 members were to indicate their willingness to .ioin. _ It was'pointed out by Mr. Wilson that because the New Zealand Master Builders' Federation -was divided into 22 districts or associa- , tions, which were registered as industrial unions^ of employers, the Levin body wouM have to be a branch of the Manawatu association and could not become ap association of its own. The branch l would be formed for the convenience of members to enable them to ho'ld their meetings . locally :and save them travelling 'to Paimersf ton North. .They would still- be members of the association _ ahd have full privileges. r" Following a statement iby "the secretary, Mr. Parkinson, to the effect that all financial matters would be handled by Manawatu, an objection was raised by several members. They felt that should this he done, the local branch would become a collecting agency for dues and nothing more. -No actual decision was made on this point, although it was indi'cated that it would be a matter for the branch itself to decide. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The election of officers c(pro tem} was then held and resulted as follows: — President: Mr. G. G. France; vice-president: Mr. H, J. Woollett; executive committee: Messrs K, Davies, L. Trass; J. D. W. Avery, D. J. Convery and W. Wilson; minute-seeretary: Mr. L. rJraSS i A hearty vote of "thanks was accorded the Palmerston North members for their assistance and the meeting was bfought to a close. _ »