A PLUMBERS GRIVANCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 678, 1 December 1909, Page 6

A PLUMBERS GRIVANCE.

!: 'L TOO MANY. EXAMINA.TIONB. • :Anold-standing' , grievance was. brought under :tbo notice" of, tho, Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon., D.Buddo): yesterday by a deputation of Wellington plumbers, of whom Messrs. T.' R. Johnstoiie nor* spokesmen. It was pointed out that a plumber who payslss. a yoar for a registration fee in one , town may have to; pay 20s. in another if ho is forced to'"move on ,, by slackness of work, and also qualify again by examination to hold another license. A journeyman leaving Wellington for Petone, though only for a week's contract, must'pay 10a. for a sanitary > license:and; 10s.' for a gasfitter's- license. If lie.goes to Christchurch no must.pass another examination, in addition to paying'another fee. Tho examinations, iu Chrietchurch > aro held every 6ix months, ! and if ho urrivfcsjust after tho examination , ho, must walk tho.streets for six months befpre he, can bo exaininbd. A provisional tost '.-examination can bo arranged, but for this the plumber has to pay-,£3: in Christ, church, though in Wellington, where it was stated, "they aro a bit" go-ahead," : the charge , for the':provisional' test is only fiS. -•The deputation asked that ■ legislation ' should be introduced 60 that a qualifying certificate' obtained fro moiioauthority should hold good, without ' further examination; throughout the Dominion.'- It ; . was suggested ■ that the Government might hold an examination in tjo four 1 tros on h.'ijiven dat'o,. or that a board of control' micht 1)0 instituted. .■' ' ;. 1 The Minister, said it did not appear reasonable that a;plumber, should pay., for two on animations. lie had practically promised' to introduce, a Plumbers'- Registration Bill tliiisession if .'possible, but so- fnr he lijid: not had an opportunity.. It was undoubtedly an injustice to have to '-pass an examination or '. pay an ■ examination fee in: every' town they" went ' to. 11b did.not think,.however,- that tho Gov-ornmt-nt'could; take, away, the ■ right of the conncils to. require 'registration; The- question "' was, whether- the councils should insist on high fee for registration.- Plumbers wore not' in tlio':satno;p.osition" ns carpouters and; bricklayers, - as- they" were less und.pr the eye of a .clork'iof works, and. it-was necessary , that they should.be : qualified,meni'A/Uillcoli this.matter would.not gpi. through without'discussion. Tliejr:would hiiyo: to fiiid first; a standard, and then nn examining authority. .The passing 01 an oxaniiiiation'';>v6nld. roquiro to bo insistet' on,v mid whon it was passed the plumber would bo free 1 to exercise; his calling- throughout th« Dominion. ! Tic .would* do his. best to tneetth* wißhbs',of : the;deputatipn^:j,; ; .■;; ; ; ; :,-v.;:-v.-.;;