SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21886, 12 September 1936, Page 4

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

... ♦ COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS PRAISED TRIBUTE BY THE HON. D. G. SULLIVAN Commendation of the services rendered to the community by commercial travellers was expressed by the Minister for Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) at the annual Association Day celebration of the Canterbury Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, which was held in the Jellicoe Hall last evening. The president of the association, Mr R. E. Voller, presided over a large attendance. The Minister was the principal guest, and he was accompanied by his private secretary, Mr 'K. W. Sleight. Other guests included the Mayor ot Christchurch, Mr "J. W. Beanland, the Town Clerk, Mr J. S. Neville, Mr G. E. King, president of the United Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association of New Zealand, Mr R. E. McDougall, a life governor of the Canterbury Association, Mr ’ W. Machin, Mr F. S. Wilding, Mr A. M. Burns, Mr F. W. Hobbs, and the Rev. F. T. Read. Proposing the toast of “Association Day,” Mr Sullivan said he recalled with pleasure the association’s services to the community. In the early days of the association’s existence the travellers of the city had combined to help in the preservation of Lancaster Park as a snorts ground for the public, and during the Great War their efforts had been invaluable. Later, during the speaker’s term as Mayor of Christchurch, the commercial travellers had made the first organised response to the urgent call for assistance in the relief of distress. Not only in Christchurch, but also in other centres, the various associations had taken a special pride in serving the interests of the community. Although recent developments in business, including co-operative buying and selling, provoked serious thoughts regarding the future of the commercial traveller’s calling, the Minister expressed a hope that they would long continue to give to the community services •characterised bv the same spirit of goodwill and helpfulness as had been ■evident in the past The toast list was as follows: —“The Day We Celebrate,” proposed by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, reply, Mr R- E. Voller: “The United Commercial Travellers? and Warehousemen’s Association,” proposed by Mr C. H. Christie, reply, Mr G. E. King; “The Visitors,” proposed by Mr S. A. Orchard, and “The Press and Performers,” proposed by Mr H. L. Babington, An .enjoyable musical programme was rendered, consisting of songs by Messrs Rex. Harrison, J. L. Tennent, W. Toomey, D. McGill; duet, Messrs*Toomey and McGill; part songs, the commercial travellers’ concert party; and selections by the orchestra, conducted by Mr E. J. Jamieson. The accompaniments were played by Messrs N. Newson and G. Russell.