"ON THE ROAD."

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 208, 3 September 1927, Page 19

"ON THE ROAD."

C.T.'S AND WAREHOUSEMEN.

CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY.

WORK 0? THE PIONEERS,

That unity is strength is fully recognised by the commercial travellers of New Zealand, renowned for their goodfellowship, generosity in the direction ol charity, and business acumen. It was fourteen years ago yesterday +hat the four clubs established by the ''men on the road'' in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, united, and the occasion was celebrated by members of the local club last evening. The president (Mr. W. H. Prentis) presided over a large gathering, including several foundation members and past presidents. The evening was spent in convivial fashion at dinner, and over pipe and bowl, while the brief toast list was pleasantly interspersed with musical items, and other numbers characteristic of those who participated in it.

In welcoming the assemblage, the president briefly traversed the history of the United Association, referred to the benefits that had attended the decision to amalgamate. The binding together of the common interests of the commercial travellers fourteen years ago, he said, had been of great benefit to all. They had been able to inaugurate sick and benefit funds, their own newspaper, concessions in hotels and in regard to transport and• other advantageous facilities. In proposing the toast of the association, he drew attention to the goodfellowShip that was behind it, and pointed out that members were always made welcome at other clubs when they journeyed far afield. He also paid a tribute to the foundation members of the combined movement, and made special reference in this connection to the efforts of Messrs. D. McGlashan and K. Martin.

In acknowledging the toast, Mr. L. A. Thompson, past president of the United Association, said that unity had placed them on the map as an association. At one time the commercial travellers' organisations in the Dominion had been affiliated with Australia, but since the time of the Secession their association had proved successful in many directions, such as in unravelling difficulties that arose; the introduction of insurances and monetary benefits. These benefits would have been denied them without the United Association, which had a membership of 3000 or more. After adding his felicitations to the foundation members, Mr. Thompson then moved the following resolution, which was carried unanimously:—"That we take this opportunity upon Association Day—the day of days in this organisation—to place before members the inestimablegood that the pioneers of the association have done. The work of a decade ago would, if undertaken to-day, seem small, but the small beginning has proved to be the foundation of what has now become one of the most powerful institutions in the Dominion, both socially and commercially. The pioneer* built up within the hearts of every member a love of the true spirit of the man of the road, a true sense of citizenship, and loyalty to his King and association.''

During the course of the evening, opportunity was taken to outline the various activities of the local branch of the association. Mr. H. Clifton traced the history and success of the mortuary benefit fund since its inception in 191!). while Mr. A. Holdsworth similarly referred to the accident insurance fund, which he declared was in a flo-urishing, good financial condition. Mr. E. Brown dealt with the development of the Association's official organ, Mr. J. Browning, with most commendable of all funds—the blind soldiers and sailors' fund —Mr. Glover Clark with matters in connection with concessions and transport, and Mr. T. Dickson with social activities.

It was mentioned by Mr. D. McGlashan that tip to the present the association had collected £93,000 for charitable purposes, the money having been paid to hospitals and similar institutions. This money, of course, had carried Government subsidies.

A general appeal was made to members to support the various funds, not only in their own interests, but in the interests of the association.