THE ISSUES

Although this is the "story of GASAA" - of its organisation and people, it would be inappropriate not to make reference to some of the industry issues with which it has had to contend.

Before the Federation was established in 1923 all issues were dealt with by the various State Associations. The laws under which they had to operate, including the labour relations laws, were predominantly State rather than Federal. Also, competition was almost exclusively restricted to local areas.

For these reasons there was really little for any Federal body to do. Such interstate contact as did occur mainly took the form of exchanges of ideas directed towards mutual help.

Although the only pre-1923 records now available relate to the NSW Association it would be safe to assume that their content would largely reflect discussions contemporaneously taking place in the other States where Associations existed. (Victoria was probably formed before 1908, Queensland in the 1914-18 period, South Australia in 1920 or 1921 and Western Australia probably in or about 1926 - although its existence may not have been continuous).

The minimisation of price competition was the main motivating force of all the Associations. The very first NSW meeting, held on 29 May 1908, resolved that "the minimum price for 3 colour work be 4 pounds per set" and "that the minimum price for 2 colour blocks be 15 pounds". As to discounts, it was agreed that "no discount, rebate or allowance be allowed".

These simple straightforward decisions have a naivety, which is quite charming in its optimism and innocence. Someone must have been a little more practical because it was later decided "that Mr Bacon obtain Council's (sic) opinion as to how the Association would stand in regard to the Anti-Trust Act".

In July 1908, the NSW Association sought to extend the competition control net a little wider by deciding to write to "various artists and photographers informing them that if they want the support of the Photo Engravers they should refrain from taking direct orders for blocks".

At its 17 August 1908 meeting a new topic appears in the minutes - "Mr Lawson mentioned that one of his apprentices Howard Brown who still had two years to run had absented himself for upwards of two weeks". The embryonic GASAA had clearly embarked upon what was to become one of its major occupations - industrial relations.

Next came tariffs. On 5 May 1909, the NSW Association discussed a letter from Patterson Shugg of Melbourne "regarding a duty on Electros and Stereos". It was proposed there be a petition be addressed to the Minister for Customs.

The same meeting expressed concern at the cost of "the supply of electric current". A Lawson "promised to see the Town Clerk (Mr Nesbitt) and ascertain what procedure to adopt re approaching the City Electrical Engineer regarding a reduction in the charges". (This produced good results because the charges were soon lowered for process engravers).

Things were now moving rapidly. On 22 July 1909 the NSW Association dealt with a letter from the Photo Engravers Union and decided it was "prepared to meet the Executive of the Photo Engravers Union to discuss their Wages Log". At a later meeting, it was explained that the Union claim for a minimum wage of 3 pounds was really what we would now call an "ambit" claim and that the Union was really prepared to accept 2 pounds 16 shillings. The ingenuous argument was also put that "if the wages were raised the Master could demand more for his blocks".

Shades of things to come appeared in 1914 when C Mather, Secretary of the (NSW) Master Printers Association attended the meeting to discuss "The suggested amalgamation with the Master Printers Association...No decision was arrived at".

Then on 6 August 1914, F Middows was a guest at the meeting and "explained that owing to the war between England and Germany the further supply of materials was uncertain. He estimated that the materials on hand would last about three months". The problem of materials supplies had arrived on the agendas.

The above are but very early references to a few of the topics which were to occupy the organisations attention over the decades ahead. To give them only a few lines is, unfortunately, to do an injustice to the huge amount of work done by hundreds of dedicated people over almost a century. Few would dispute that their work has improved the commercial and legislative climate in which GASAA members have operated and has contributed to their prosperity.

On the other hand, it would be out of place in this "story of GASAA" to isolate various topics and follow each through to the present day. First there are too many such topics, which would have to be dealt with and, secondly nothing would be achieved. Besides which, it would not make for interesting reading exempt for those with a particular interest with the subject being considered.

A random but far from complete list of "issues" is listed below:

Prices
Prices, price lists, discounts, rebates, "unfair competition", price cutting and interstate competition figure prominently for many years. Trade practices legislation effectively put an end to price lists. When that occurred, GASAA redirected its efforts and undertook detailed "cost investigations".

Cost Investigations
During the 1950's, GASAA began comprehensive investigations, which resulted in the distribution of reports setting out the average of each cost element involved in producing engravings. By comparing his own costs with the industry-wide figures each engraver could not only increase his own efficiency but also be aware of the effects on his profitability of unwise pricing. The work was largely done by members N L Burston and W H Ryan together with the then Secretary (D H Davis).

GASAA undertook these "cost investigations" of its industry long before "interfirm comparisons" became the vogue. GASAA is believed to have been the first association in Australia to have done so. Indeed the Commonwealth Government, when embarking on its Interfirm Comparisons service, consulted with GASAA upon the procedures the Association had adopted.

Attempts to introduce similar investigations into litho platemaking were thwarted by the intense competition the industry was experiencing at the time.

Codes of Ethics
Codes of Ethics and Standards of Practice have played a role from time to time but are also subject to Trade Practice legislation. They have been useful many times, however, in helping to sort out problems, which from time to time arise between GASAA members and their customers.

Industrial Relations
Probably the major role undertaken by the Federation since its inception. GASAA represents the pre-press sector of the printing industry before many Governmental authorities, including the Arbitration tribunals, and also acts for its members in the event of their becoming involved in industrial disputes. As a matter of day-to-day routine it provides an information and advisory service on industrial law.

The "Joint Industrial Council"Although this is a story of GASAA at a Federal level a brief reference to the operation in NSW of a Joint Council between the NSW Association and the Amalgamated Printing Trades Union is fully warranted. The Council was formed in 1933 and lapsed in 1939 but was re-established in 1949. Efforts to set up similar meetings at a Federal level in 1949 came to nothing.

The functioning of the Council would provide a mine of information for the student of industrial relations in Australia. Not only did it regulate employment conditions but it also ventured into fields, which today would be viewed as entirely inappropriate. For example, it resolved in 1934 that 'this Council regards night-shifts as inimicable (sic) to the best interests of the Process Engraving industry and that they ought to be abolished so that more men may be employed." Also, "that this Council shall be given the opportunity to review contemplated changes of men from one firm to another".

In 1935 the Council proposed that there be a "stamp" which would be hired to employers on an annual basis and which would signify that their product met Union and Association requirements. There were three conditions, which had to be met before a firm would be allowed to use the Stamp:

• Firms (had to) observe in their entirety the Award governing the industry
• Firms (had to) strictly adhere to the schedule of prices and discounts as agreed by the Master Process Engravers
• Firms (had to) give preference of employment to members of the APTEU.

It will surprise no one to learn that the Stamp concept did not proceed because the "Masters" were unable at that time to agree on a price list.

The 1933-39 meetings lapsed. At the time the NSW President said that "the Union apparently had no confidence in their own representatives and asked that all questions be referred to a Committee of 20". This was unacceptable to the employers and the Council ceased to meet.

The meetings were recommenced ten years later and operated at least until 1954 after which there are no records. They may have continued for some time after that. The post-war meetings were described as those of the Joint Industrial "Committee" rather than "Council". The 1949 and subsequent meetings appear to have been a valuable means through which the employer and employee organisations could discuss industry issues in a positive way. They did not have the collusive, some might even say sinister, nuances of their pre-war predecessors.

Industry Exhibitions
The organisation has initiated/taken part in many promotional exhibitions.

Slow Payers
Exchanging information on slow payers has been a continuing and valuable activity to this day.

Materials Supplies/Quality/Price
Scores of problems have been dealt with under this heading. Some of the many have been glue, mounting wood, acid containers, zinc and inks.

Standard Colour Inks
A continuing discussion point for over 70 years.

Sales Tax
Sales Tax rates, tax on proofs, artwork, mounting wood, copper sheets and many other items have all been the subject of GASAA representations.

Technical Training
The Association, particularly at State level, has maintained a supportive interest in training.

Tariffs
The fact that much platemaking equipment and materials are imported and therefore potentially subject to tariffs has resulted in many submissions being made to the authorities. Conversely the Association has frequently acted to eradicate the improper importation of plates, separations etc.

Insurance
Many aspects of insurance have received attention including Workers Compensation rates, preferential rates for workers compensation, fire insurance and loss of profits.

Zinc Distribution
Zinc supply problems in the early 1950's caused the Federation to set up a zinc distribution quota scheme.

Technical Information
The organisation looked at the question of industry research on a number of occasions and issued various publications relating to Australian conditions. In addition, useful overseas publications were imported and distributed.

Technological Change
GASAA has kept abreast of the impact of technological change and fashioned appropriate policy responses. One of the first such instances with long term implications was in relation to electronic etching machines in 1952. Royalties on Powderless Etching Machines received a lot of attention in the late 1950's.

Public Relations
Many pamphlets and brochures promoting pre-press activities have been produced and distributed to customers. Liaison has been maintained with trade journals and industry groups. For a time in the 1960's, the Federation published its own magazine.

Schedule of minimum prices December, 1920