INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1529, 27 August 1912, Page 6

INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.

—-♦ [ ASKS FOR STATUTORY BECOGNI- ; TION. The New Zealand Institute of Architects (Registered), by a deputation representing its five branches in Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, made a request to the Prirao Minister (the Hen. W. F. Massey) yesterdav that the. Government should introduce legislation providing: tor the registration of architects, and the statutory- recognition pf tho institute, to which members might be.admitted by. examination- only, after the registration by an Impartial Board of all applicants in the Dominion- who have any reasonable, claim to. be considered architects. - ', The Eon. A. L. Herdman, as member for Wellington North, introduced the deputation. Mr. Alfred Atkins, tho president of tho institute, was the only speaker. Ke urged that it was necessary that an architect should have a sound knowledge of town development in all its aspects, of hygiene and sanitation, and of good design. At present, he pointed out, there was no qualification demanded, and no restriction imposed to regulate the practice of tho profession, so that it was open to anyone, however lacking in special knowledge, or in good character, to pose as nil arohitect. Much harm had been done by incompetent, unworthy, and unprincipled practitioners, mid 'he accordingly urged the statutory registration, of architects. The public, ho pointed out, had largely benefited from the registration and control, through their official organisation, of other classes of practitioners, such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc. The statutory recognition of architects had been adopted in several Continental countries, some of the American States, and in a part of South Africa. The New Zealand Institute of Architects was tho only properly-constituted and established, architectural body in New Zealand, and its membership included nearly all of tho best qualified and reputable architects. Mr. Atkins presented "a draft Bill of Incorporation, which hs urged tho Government to adopt asiflart of its policy. * Mr. Massey, replying, said he agreed that an inefficient architect was a menace to the community, especially in a country subject to earthquakes, as New Zealand admittedly was. ll© took it that the institute's proposals would make for efficiency. The Government had a lot of business on hand for tho session, but if they got on well with it, he thought ho could say that the request of the deputation would be favourably considered by the Government, always providing that no one of good character, having any reasonable claim to be considered nn architect, should be excluded from benefits under the Bill. Mr. Herdman and ho would have very great pleasure." in submitting their request to the other members of the' Cabinet.