N.Z. MASTER PLUMBERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2997, 7 February 1917, Page 6

N.Z. MASTER PLUMBERS

annual conference The annual conference of the New Zea J land Federation of Master Plumbers commenced' at tho Central Chamber o£ Commerce yesterday morning. The president, Mr. William Judd, of Wellington, occupied the chair. The following delegates were present:—Auckland, Messrs. T. Hornig, A. Burt, Jun., and W. S. Fisher; Christchurch, \V. IJ. Ramsov, J. D. Colville, and Alex. Dickson; Dtuiedin, "J. S. Douglas, C. S. Jenkins, anil W. Foster; Hawke's Bay, ,T. Eddie and! F. W. Smith; Invercargill, A. Peterson and Thos. Smith; Wanganui, L. J. Sigley; Wellington, Win. Judd, Thos. Ballinger, and Robt. Ramsay. In welcoming the delegates, the president said that lie was sorry- that he was not in a position to congratulate them' on meeting under more favourable conditions than last year. Tho same awful strife was taking place in Europg as was the case last year; still they ha<l decided to hold the conference as 'usual. At tho last conference there were a great many remits considered and gassed, some of thgm very important ones, and during the year the executive had done their best to give effect to them. This .conference would be called upon to_ deal with some important questions, one being the shortage of labour in the trade on account of the war. lie hoped their deliberations would bo of' benefit to tho trade and the public generally. On a vote it was then .decided that a Press Committee be set up to supply reports of the proceedings to tho daily papers. The conference sat throughout the day and last evening. In the correspondence was included a letter from tho Plumbers' Board re ths of a board meeting, stating that 110 meeting was possible on February 5. but that'the board would be pleased to receive any representatives which the conference wished to present. . • The annual report submitted by the president consisted of a detailed resume of the work done during the year by the executive. In conclusion, it stated that the members of the executive desire to express their appreciation of and confidence in the services rendered to the plumbing trade of the Dominion by Mr. J. S. Douglas, in his position as masters' representative on the Plumbers' Board of N.Z. The federation was more than fortunate in' having at its service a gentleman of such high ideals and excellent judgment as possessed by Mr.. Douglas. Members sincerely hoped that he may long be spared to represent the masters in his present position. Appreciation was also extended to the various unions' officers for ready response to all requests made for assistance and advice during the year. In conclusion, members desired to express their hearty good wishes to all for a. pleasant conference and prosperous New Year in the work of the federation, realising that by a combination of effort" and a liberal display of energy, tho best; interests of the masters will be met in these times of anxiety and difficulty. Mr. T. Ballinger, in referring to thereport, mentioned the large number of men from the trade who had enlisted* and Mr. A. Burt suggested that a roll of honour be submitted at each conference. • Messrs. J. W. Colville and J. S. Douglas paid tributes to the executive, and congratulated it on the annual report. The hon. treasurer's statement of ac- ■ counts and his report thereon were read .and adopted. The vice-presidents of districts presented reports. Mr. Thos. Ballinger (vice-president for Wellingon) read a report dealing with apprentices in relation to technical education. Mr. W. Foster (Duijedin) appended to his report a paper dealing with the drainage of Dunedin City. In his report Mr. T. Horning (Auckland) presented a report showing the present position of tho plumbing trade in his district. Mr. A. Peterson, on behalf of Mr. J. J. Sheelian (Invercargill), doalt with, general conditions in that town, and suggested that a model set of sanitary by-, laws would be of assistance. Mr. J. D. Colvillo (Christchurch) in his report referred to the marked shortage of labour in his district caused through the demands of war. Tho reports were then discussed, and on the motion of Mr. Sigley were referred to a 6ub-committee to report upon ■ -later to the conference. The Journeymen's Federation requested a conference for the purpose of arranging a new Dominion award.. Delegates considered the roquest and decided that they were unable to accede to it. It was decided that a deputation wait on the chairman of the Plumbers' Board at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday. The Teports of committees were received. _ The representative of the Federation on the New Zealand Employers' Federation (Mr." Judd) reported. He had attended several meetings, all of great importance. The minutes of the last meeting were fead, and matters in connection with the waterside trouble were referred" to. Mr. Ballinger also reported on aspects of the same trouble. The report was adopted. Mr. J. S. Douglas, masters' representative on the Plumbers' Board, reported on the work of the year, and "on the motion of Mr. Burt he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. -The following committee was set up to report upon the' set of sanitary bylaws suggested by the Journeymen's Federation:—Messrs. Hornig, Ballinger, F. W. Smith, Jenkins, W. D. Ramsay, Peterson, and Sigley. The committee is to meet at 9 a.m. to-day. Mr. Colville (Christchurch) -iuov*l, and it was resolved:—"That the obtain a legal opinion on Clause C of tho Registration Act, with a. view of taking steps to have the Act amended. Mr. W. D. Bamsay moved:—"That it be a recommendation to the Plumbers' Board or Health Department to see that local bctlies having pluriAmg by-laws have printed copies for distribution to plumbers for their guidance. This motion was carried, with tue following alteration:—"That it be a recommendation to the Plumbers Board to procure an amendment to tlie Act giving the board power to compel local bodies to procure by-laws, and that •copies be available for distribution to plumbers having .to carry out sanitary plumbing under suclr by-laws. On the motion of Mr. R. Ramsay (Wellington) is was decided:—appointment of assistant supervisors for examinations by Plumbers' Bpard that each union affiliated to the federation be asked to recommend a master plumber, being affiliated to the federation, for appointment as assistant supervisor for tho union's district. rr » •*. On the motion of Mr. T. Horning it was decided:—"That this conference recommends to the Plumbers Board that inspectors be appointed whereby the provisions of tho Plumbers Registration Act would rigidly be enforced in gazetted d Mr. C T. Ballinger moVed :-"_That steps be taken by conference in view of the present conditions and the consequent dearth of plumbers necessary to carrv out sanitary plumbing work by stronglv ■ recommending to tlie Military Appeal Board to retain sufficient registered men within the Dominion to secure that the. interests of the public health aro promotion was carried, witli thn addition that each--.union be recommended to assist masters in making appeals' before tlie Appeal Board, together with suggestions that on a man being drawn 1 in the ballot he be asked to secure a medical examination before being called conference will resume at 10 a.m. 'to-day. Programme for the Week, Tho conference will resume at 10 o'olock this morning. There will bo a motor trip to the Wainui waterworks this afternoon (for men only), and business will be resumed at 8 p.m. _ Thursday—Conference morning ana evening. At 2 p.m. bowling match,. Master Plumbers v. Master,, Builders of Wellington, on the Wellington Club's green. Friday—Conference in At -■ p.m. steamer excursion *to Day's Bay; 7.30 p.m.. installation of tho i mesidi-nt and social evening at Godber's rociLfl, Courtenay Place.