BUSINESS PROBLEMS NIGHT.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20906, 13 July 1933, Page 4

BUSINESS PROBLEMS NIGHT.

CANTERBURY ADVERTISING CLUB. Problems which have presented themselves in business, and others which might do so, were discussed by members of the Canterbury Advertising Club last evening at a "Business Problems Night." Mr G. H. Holford presided. "Should a manager allow complaints from members of the staff to come to him direct, over the heads of department executives?" was the first question read by the chairman. It was claimed by a member that a great deal depended on whether the employee had already referred his complaint to the head of his department. If he had done so and then not received satisfaction, then there was no reason why he should not go straight to the manager. "A man might be suffering unjustly," said Mr J. J. Stout, "and I do not see why he should be kept from getting a fair deal." Days of Fear Complex Gone. Another member said that he had been an employer for 33 years and with this experience he had come to the conclusion that if any employee had a grudge he should be allowed to go to the head of the firm. The days were past when the employee approached his principal in fear and trembling; every man should be able to feel that he could go direct to the head of the staff with any complaints he might have. An employer must keep himself on a fairly even level with his men with a common feeling, perhaps, of fellowship. The chairman: The days when the | relationship of employer and employee were based on the fear complex are gone. The general opinion of the meeting was in agreement with the chairman's remarks. Payment of Sales Tax. Another question was: "Is it fair to one's own industry to pay sales tax instead of passing it on, thus maintaining usual prices, while your competitors add sales tax to the prices charged and thus maintain the normal margin of profit customary in the industry concerned?" Mr Stout said that if the sales tax were paid and the usual prices maintained that would be merely disguised price cutting. Members unanimously agreed with Mr Stout, holding that the sales tax should be passed on. Several other problems were discussed and later members brought forward for answer questions which had presented themselves in actual business. These concerned, among other things, advertising policy and outstanding debts.