CONGRATULATED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20738, 23 February 1939, Page 14

CONGRATULATED

HAMILTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION ORGANISED DOMINION PRESIDENT'? ADDRESS Refercnoo to the good work done by master builders in Hamilton and in Rotorua in the formation of their associations, enabling the Dominion body, the New Zealand Federated Builders’ and Contractors' Industrial Association of Employers. to hold its annual conference in Hamilton this year, was made by the Dominion president. M- W. A. Petrie, in his address at the opening of the conference to-day. "<>n the last occasion that a conference was held in the Auckland district,’ he said, “splendid work was carried out by the formation of the Rotorua and Hamilton Master Builders' Associations. It is pleasing indeed to record that when the conference was held at Rotorua on February 20. 1035, Hamilton was without a master builders’ association. Since then by the keen interest aroused and which has since been displayed, the Hamilton master builders have formed a splendid organisation which is operating in the interests of the builders throughout the district. “Tiie fact that we are now here assembled in conference in Hamilton, four years after the initial steps to form tfie Hamilton association, reflects great, credit upon the master builders of the Hamilton and the officers of that association. I desire to place on record the congratulations of the federation to Hie Hamilton Master Builders' Association. f.>r the success they have achieved in their organisation and also the hope, that the association will grow, and be ol e-\en greater use and benefit to the members from year to year. Association's Increased Work “A\ e also extend similar congratulations to the Rotorua Master Builders' Association, which is a very live organand refects credit upon the builders of Rotorua. “By holding conferences in the various districts throughout New Zealand, it is considered that interest is maintained and it brings the members of locai associations into closer touch with the work of the federation, and has proved by experience to result in a general strengthening of th-e organisation. “The work of the association is increasing from year to year. The new problems arising through amended legislation and the various restrictions that are imposed from time to time together with the many Acts and regulations under which builders and contractors have to work, make it imperative that a strong builders’ organisation should exist so that builders can act c-ollecti\elv and speak with one voice in a common interest. Registration of Builders “Many matters of importance will require your attention during the conference— matters that should be dealt ' with expeditiously, such as the Registration of Builders’ Act, and the amendment of the Apprentices’ Act, and we are hopeful that as a result of negotiations that are- to take place, we shall be able fo obtain uniformity of the many machinery clauses that exist in the various awards covering everv branch of our industry. The lot of the builder has been made more difficult during the past, few years by the short-termed awards that have been operating. In my opinion, the awards of the Court of Arbitration should be made for at least a period of two years so that builders may have an opportunity of taking the contract with some knowledge of the terms and conditions under which they may be permitted to employ their workers. “During the past few years a builder has had difficulty in tendering for his work in a competitive market, and having obtained a .job then experiences severe losses by new awards bringing in increased wages and other restrictive provisions. This matter will come up for your consideration and I think every effort should he put forward to obtain a greater degree of security for the builder in the conduct of * his general business.’’