REGISTRATION DESIRED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 718, 18 July 1929, Page 10

REGISTRATION DESIRED

WISH OF BUILDERS BETTER FOR ITS TRADE A hope that the present Government would agree to the registration of builders was mentioned last evening by Mr. >7. Cole, president, at the annual dinner of the Auckland Master Builders’ Association. He also stated that the late Government strongly opposed the suggestion as Mr. Coates thought that such action would bring about a close corporation in the trade. In proposing the toast of the ‘Auckland Master Builders’ Association and the New Zealand Federation of Builders, Mr. Cole said that the association gave a valuable service to builders. It was not an aggressive association, but aimed to maintain the rights of members. This principle was kept in view* when any dispute had to be settled. “There is no need to emphasise that ‘Union is Strength,’ ” continued Mr. Cole, “and it can be seen that most of the builders in New Zealand belong to our organisation.” The federation, he said, formed a necessary and active function when any legislation regarding building regulations was brought forward. Builders were frequently affected by proposed legislation brought before Parliament and they often needed advice. Claims of labour often required investigation. The association and the federation were safeguarding the industry, and it was up to the builders themselves to support both organisations.

“We may yet persuade Parliament to provide for the registration of builders,” said Mr. Cole. “We have been trying to do this for a long time.”

He went on to say that a committee in Victoria was collecting evidence with a view to registration being brought into force and that any legislation passed in Australia must inevitably affect New Zealand. The building trade carried great responsibilities and yet it was entirely open to any man who cared to enter it so long as he could encourage merchants to supply him with materials. There should be some methods by which a man had to qualify as a builder. Beneficial results -would follow to everyone concerned if the trade could be restricted to men who were experienced in the trade.

Mr. V. A. Coyle, Auckland’s representative on the Federation of Builders, who replied to the toast, said that all along the line builders had had their troubles and had fought them. The federation was trying to bring about a better set of working conditions. He emphasised the good feeling which existed between the architects and builders, which he thought was dlue to the fact that all questions were discussed thoroughly before any definite move was made. The late Prime Minister would never consider the registration of builders as he thought such action would bring about a close corporation in the trade, but ho had hopes of something from the new Government. Registrations would be a very desirable state of affairs as it would mean better control .

“The desire of the federation is to see builders taking a more active interest in the affairs of this country,” said Mr. Coyle. “The man who has been through the mill is fitted to occupy the best positions on local bodies.” He mentioned that the Mayor of Auckland had been a builder and that the Mayors of Otahuhu and Mount Albert were also in the trade. Mr. Coyle also spoke of the history of the federation in New Zealand. It had taken 40 years to found the organisation and the first step toward this had been taken in 1892. The first set of rules was formed in 1901.