COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 260, 27 July 1908, Page 8

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS

FEDERAL MOVEMENT. UNITED C. T. AND W. ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND. A Conference of delegates representing tha Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Associations of New Zealand was held.in Wellington a few days ago. The following delegates wero present:—Wellington: Messrs. J. U. Turnbull (chairman), W. C. S. Lovers, and J. G. Chambers; Auckland: F. 8.-Gorm-ley, <mdXi. Squirrel; Duncdin: J. Brown and.Owen. Ihe Conference was called to discuss tho question of the federation of the different Associations of New Zealand, an idea that has been simmering for somo time past in. "i commercial traveller circles. To understand 110 jollowing report', it-should be understood tliat, of the Associations represented at tho Conference, the Otago Association is already affiliated to the United Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association of Australia. 1 The subject was introduced by Mr. Squirrel, who moved:—"That, in tho opinion of the meeting; of delegates -the time has arrived when it is necessary to form a United Travellers and Warehousemen's Association of New Zealand." In support of his motion, he stated that ho had failed to see what benefits those in New Zealand could derive from an affiliation with Australia, that they wero now practically in the same positiou as the Commonwealth was prior to the. existence or formation of the United Association, and that with a federation' of tho three Associations comprising nearly 1000 members they would have far greater weight in the granting- of concessions on behalf of travellers than by the efforts of the individual Associations. Ha' sincerely hoped that the Dunedin delegates would on their return induce members to leave the' united body of Australia and join tho New Zealand Association. 1 Ho would even go farther, and suggest that a referendum of the three clubs bo taken.

Mr. Chambers; (Wellington), in seconding the motion, said he was strongly of opinion that it was in the interests'of each Association that they should be federated, and, Wei-1 lington and Auckland being willing to cooperate, it would bo advisable to tako a referendum of the members. . Mr. Levers (Wellington) wished the Dune-, din delegates to iuform their members that' they did not intend to.go into tho matter in a light-hearted fashion, that they wanted tho question to bo unanimous. "Let us bo . New Zealanders, and lot us emulate what has been done in Australia. The subject'is practicable, and if' a start were made, and the Federation put on''a sound practicable footing,-success is assured."; » , » ' Mr. Owen (Dunedin): VI am quite in ac-cord-with the movement, : and ..we wish particularly : to' extend a New Zealand _ circle right round. I cannot see any objection 'to . the two associations "joining tho United Body." , ' . '. .. Mr. Brown' (Dunedin): "Wo have arrived at_ tho stage where'" it 'seems to "us to be evident that tho two important .associations concerned do not see their way ,to fall in with tho object wo have' in View, namely, to throw in their lot with Dunedin with the United Association. It remains for' New Zealand to see what. steps can be'taken to bring about the object, namely, a united New Zealand. If you can formulate' , a scheme that wo can represent to bur association; the members' 'will probably consider it in a favourable light." " , The Chairman: "The benefits derived from a. United Australian Association, arc not impossible for us to attain. 1 Wo must~start. in a modest way, and'looking at'it from' a financial point of view it- need not be a costly affair. Our; secretary is at,the disposal of the association." Mr. Brown': '"By affiliating with the Uni•ted Association yiiil automatically bring into existence a New Zealand Federation." Mr. Gormley: "It would be unfair to tho Australian 1 body to : join the 'United Asso- ■ ciation, knowing that w'G would'secede and'; form a New' Zealand. Association/ As, far as the -Auckland Association is 'concerned, wo are prepared'tp u jsubscril^e.for.every : member , on our books 1 ' to bring about- a' united New Zealand;"';';' ; '-V ', . Mr. Owen';""We'liave'asked you to accept 'our-offer to join the united body, and.you. decline. .• You can test the plank for. twelve 'months, and if 'you do not;;like it -you can' secede:" " ' .. ' Mr.' Levers: "If .'you do : not consent this Now Zealand Federation'we cannot form one without ymi, arid if this New Zealand Federation be not fonried, Dunedin's position, . being affiliated-with the United Association, becomes an untenablo one." .

Mr. Brown: "The United Association has been brought largely into this discussion, and as a matter 'of . fact tho United Association has.'spoken to'it's New Zealand members in no uncertain voice: /-Their whole aim and object, so far .as New Zealand is concerned, is/effectiveness; 'they have realised that New Zealand has not'succccded in increasing the' influence of ' the 1 United Asso* ciatioiv in this Dominion to any extent at all. It has never gone;past- Dunedin.' The United body says, 'We want you to aim at solidity— aim at: effectiveness, and get New. Zealand into. the. Federation under, us if possible. If you cannot do it under the a!uspices of tho United Association, do it yourselves.' We will -not "stand in tho' way of the' advancement of New Zealand,; nor 'will wo stick to New Zealand if by doing so;wo are impairing her strongth.' If the United Association wo should form a Federation of New Zealand,. our Association must' look forward to doing the best we can .to work with this other Association in bringing about the desired consummation."

. Mr. Squirrel:—"l'would-like• to'movc'an amended motion l which-; is as follows: 'That, in tho'opinion 'of ' the : delegates tho time has , now.'arrived when, it is necessary to form a United' Commerical ' Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association of Now Zealand, and that tbe Conference' cordially requestes' the' Duuedilt delegates to convey to their Association the' strong feeling which exists at this meeting that it is in the best interests of tho Associations 'in NCiV ' Zealand', that this Federation should.' be formed and this Conference cordially. invites . the .' Dunbdin Asso. ciation to join'with-them for that'purpose.' 1 The motion'-.was''carried:'without 'dissent;' Mr. Brown:—"Wo will not■:vote against tho motion bccausc wo desire you to understand that'we are just'as desirous of forming a New Zealand''Federation '• as- you are, and will not rest content till, wo get some solution of : tho' difficulty." '.' . ; Mr. Gormley:—"lf. the three Association's came togothor they i could have' their headquarters'in Wellington, : and have' the services of' the •» secretary - of * the Wellington' Association who would undertake the work of the Federation. ; .It is regrettable that Dunedin will 'not' fall into' this movement. Of 900 Now Zealand travellers,' not mora than 100 are travelling-., in Australia, and 800 men, a number ,of - .whom belong to tiio Dunedin Club, arc suffering and (rill continuo to suffer,, .far tho want of a New. Zealand Federation." 1 . , ■ - Mr. Brown:-. "Wc know the., resoluto refusal of tho two Northern Associations to join tho 'United" Association, will have tho effect-of forcing our withdrawal or secession from that association, and you will find'us of valuable assistance towards effecting a, Federation of New Zealand: ~ I do not know what you can accomplish, but you can decide on something to put before the Association If you caii formulate .a scheme which is workable and. reasonable ' I. do not . think thero is a shadowi of doubt but that Dunodin will follow you." • '.'A.-.; It was-.decided.,that a sub-committee. bo set. up to go into a scheme as recommended bv the Dunedin delegates. Such a schemo is' now-under consideration, and will lie submitted to each Association forthwith.