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Chronicle #2: mid-1900s – Early Changes & Challenges
The Federation that was the forerunner of Master Electricians underwent considerable change through the middle of the 20th century. In New Zealand, it was a time of economic growth, infrastructure development, social welfare reform, and cultural diversification.
Electrification played a significant role in urbanisation and modernising rural areas through this period. In late 1959, the Minister of Electricity, Hon Hugh Watt, said that demand for power in the country was doubling every 10 years. Many of the challenges and issues in the mid-1900s, such as the training and shortage of skilled electrical operatives and struggles to overcome power shortages [Video – Power from the River, 1947], remain today.
Stan Seear (President NZEF 1966-68) described the much earlier times when wholesalers and contractors constituted one organisation as “an unholy alliance” that “could not continue forever.” In 1946, the 1933-formed alliance called the New Zealand Electrical Traders’ Federation adopted new rules that in 1946 saw a reversion to the name “New Zealand Electrical Federation (NZEF)”.
This federation, which two years later became an incorporated society, consisted of membership from Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago contractor associations, as well as Auckland and Wellington wholesaler associations.
Over the next decade, differences emerged between the groups within the NZEF.[1] A “Fair Trading Policy” was a key issue. The policy was about maximising returns for wholesaler members and maximising discounts for contractor association members. The alignment ceased around 1957 when contracting associations met independently and formed the New Zealand Electrical Contractors’ Association. Mr J R Houston was elected Chairman.
In 1959, the organisation became the New Zealand Electrical Contractors’ Federation Incorporated (NZECF Inc.). The Federation was made up of contractor associations from Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury/Westland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Wanganui, and Hawke’s Bay. By 1965, Waikato and South Canterbury contractor associations were the last to enter the organisation, bringing the total association branches to ten.
As the aspirations of the NZECF members grew, the need to advocate on their behalf and the need for greater professionalism became stronger through the 1960s and 1970s. In 1963, the NZECF applied to become an industrial union – the New Zealand Registered Electrical Contractors Industrial Union of Employers.
A key milestone through this period was the Price Book. The NZECF Price Book, brought to life by Mr M B Jenkins, was first published and sold to members in 1962. It collated price details from manufacturers and wholesalers for all electrical products into a comprehensive and easy to use format. Prices were regularly updated as information was received, and monthly amendments were sent to members.
[1] For details on this period, and a comprehensive history of our organisation’s development through until the 1980s, see: “The first 25 years: a brief history of the New Zealand Electrical Contractors’ Federation. Bowden, Ian; New Zealand Electrical Contractors’ Federation. Wellington, N.Z.: The Federation, 1984”
The Price Book provided a basis for negotiation of price variations and was available on application to professions, such as architects, consulting engineers and surveyors. The sub-committee for book production comprised M B Jenkins (Convenor), A J Hislop, T A Yates, I G Gregor, S C Seear, A W Gooder, and T J Flynn (ex officio). A management committee was also established. Past ECANZ national president Eddie Eeles points out that many joined the Federation to get the benefit of the Price Book, noting that “it was accepted as a standard price for a piece of cable, switch and so on.” The Price Book continued to be maintained and published well into the 1980s, providing a worthwhile and valued service. Ray Barbera, former ECANZ President, advises that this was because the government deemed it as a vehicle for price fixing and also the wholesalers were able to set up their own regime in terms of pricing.
Revenue from the Price Book (later replaced with revenue from a Fuel Scheme providing discounts) was the basis for establishing a national office. A national office was set up around 1970 with Mr L A Shann appointed as Executive Officer. This was achieved through acquiring extra space on the same floor as the Price Book office located at 43 Taranaki Street, Wellington. Mr Shann was supported by the Federation’s first Secretary, Mr Ian F Bowden, who served in that position from incorporation of the NZECF Inc. back in May 1959 up until June 1970.
Ross Beal, Master Electricians Chairman (2013-2020), observes that the cost of ECANZ membership back in those days was the price of a single switch socket per week.
The NZECF set up a Registration Board in 1959. The first appointees were J R Houston, T E Turner, A W Gooder and I F Bowden as Registrar. The registration of electrical contractors within the Federation was about keeping standards high, ensuring public confidence and building the self-worth and strong perception of registered contractors. The goal behind registration of contractors within the Federation was to support approaching the government for official recognition.
Registration had reached 650 by March 1973. A registered member received a certificate “and subsequently a letter outlining the benefits of registration, a copy of the Code of Ethics, the Rules, plus ten copies of the Kitchen Metric Chart.”
Half a century on, electrification is shaping the future of New Zealand and a low-carbon global economy. There are 30,000 registered electricians in New Zealand. Approximately, 1,500 electricians retire or leave the industry each year. Rapid technological change means the half-life of skills is now estimated to be 18 months or less, while product innovation cycles are even shorter, so our workforce must quickly master new technologies. The evolving electrical industry demands a workforce equipped with advanced qualifications and up-to-date training.
Change and challenge continue to be the hallmark of the electrical industry at Master Electricians’ centenary. The energy environment has changed but again we are pioneers.