REGISTRATION OF is commonly recognised that considerable mortality and a vast deal of ill-health, as well as many domestic discomforts, are due to defective and insanitary plumbing work ; and there is, consequently, a consensus of public, official, and professional opinion as to the desirability of bringing plumbers under statutory regulation an'd control, analogous to that obtaining in the case of other occupations bearing directly on the health of the public. Such regulations are generally regarded as a necessary link in the chain of sanitary security. The necessity increases in urgency in view of the aggregation of town populations rendering the work of the plumber more and more difficult and complex, and consequently requiring that plumbers should be more efficiently trained in the art of plumbing, and such knowledge of sanitary appliances and their proper construction and adjustment as to prevent contamination of water and air in dwelling-houses and other buildings by emanations from drains and sewers.
In 1883 the subject was discussed purely as a medical question at a meeting of the British Medical Association, and again debated in 1884 by the Congress of Sanitary Authorities and Plumbers held at the International Health Exhibition, and steps were taken for carrying out this object.
Between 1884 and 1889 a national organisation was formed, composed of public representatives and plumbers, to carry out the examination and registration of plumbers and encourage the technical instruction of plumbers' apprentices.
In 1889, at the suggestion of the President of the Local Government Board (Mr. C. T. Ritchie, M.P.), a special communication was addressed to local sanitary authorities on the subject, and these as well as the chief medical authorities of the kingdom publicly expressed their approval of the system adopted. It has operated so successfully in practice that the majority of the best known practical plumbers in many districts are already registered, and the systein is supported by the plumbers throughout Great Britain and Ireland. In 1891 the International Congress of Hygiene recom mended that application shoul d be made to Parliament for placing the voluntary system on a statutory basis. Accordingly, in 1892, a bill was introduced into Parliament with that object, and was favourably reported on by a Select Committee. „From 1892 to the present time other bills have been introduced supported by the I,ocal Government Boards of the various governments, and havopassed second reading by increased majorities, referred to and amended by the Standing Committee on Trade. This bill had the support of the
Local Government Board in committee and on the report stage, but as a private members' bill it failed to obtain further progress.
The oy ects of the National Registration of Plumbers may thus be summarised :—(1) To elevate by training in workmanship, technical instruc tion and registration, the status of the plumbers' craft; (2) to provide thorough technical and practical training in every branch of' his craft to the plumber seeking the distinction of registration under Act of Parliament ; (3) to give every competent plumber a certificate which will be recognised throughout the Empire ; and (4) to aid by these means in the protection of the public health.
indenture of agreement of apprenticeship framed by the Plumbers' Apprenticeship Board of London has been adopted in substance by the National Association of Master Plumbers and the United Operative Plumbers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as by the London Master Builders' Association. The material points of agreement are—(a) The art of sanitary plumbing taught under the indenture is defined as " technical knowledge of water fittings and other sanitary appliances and skill to construct and adjust the same in such manner as to prevent the contamination of air or water in dwelling-houses or other buildings by emanations from drains and sewers " ; (b) the apprentice is required to attend approved evening classes of technical instruction ; and (c) to attend periodical examinations in technical knowledge and workmanship during the term, the final examination qualifying for registration by the Plumbers' Company, or any statutory body established for maintaining a National Registration of Plumbers in the public interest. Under the general provisions of the indenture other branches of trade may be taught, but it is required that the instruction in sanitary plumbing should conform to local and other regulations affecting the efficiency of plumbers' work in its sanitary aspects as defined. The form has been adapted to the requirements of Scotch law. Classes of instruction are provided by the local educational authorities, and the practical branches of the examinations are conducted under the regulations of the Plumbers' Company by joint boards including employers and workmen.