SHOPKEEPERS:

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 121, 22 May 1908, Page 3

SHOPKEEPERS:

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. THE HALF-HOLIDAY CARNIVAL WEEK. The New Zealand Shopkeepera' Association held its annual meeting last evening, the president (Mr. H. H. SeatonJ occupying the chair THE REPORT. The Executive Comittee, in its annual report, stated that the finances of the association were in a satisfactory condition. Satisfactory as this was, it was nevertheless a fact that many shopkeepers who had in the past derived considerable advantages and assistance, through the efforts of the members of the Executive Committee, and the secretary now showed apathy, and some few had resigned their membership. It was a most remarkable thing that some apparantly saw the advantages of the yssooiation only when legislation, or some other circumstances troubles them. Several new members had been elected during the year, and they had been far excess of resignations. A jewellers' petition, showing a bare majority, was presented to the City Council on behalf of early closing, and was duly gazetted. Shortly if terwai ds, some jewellers who had signed the petition found that the early closing seriously affected their trade, mid a counter petition was Signed, and presented to the City Council. This petition showed a larger majority than the previous one, and consequently enforced early closing: in the trade was upset. The Saturday statutory half-holiday question would doubtless come before the House this session, and was a matter which must he carefully witched. In Nelson, a bare •majority voted in favour of Saturday, and trade had been seriously affected. Steps were to be taken to endeavour to have Wednesday reinstated. Steps \\ ere being taken to form associations in Nelson and Blenheim. It was suggested that Wellington should follow the example of Napier and other places, and hold a carnival week. The matter had been fully gone into by the Executive Committee, but finally it was' decided to allow the matter to stand over for a few months. It seemed to the committee that carnival week, in conjuiu.' tion with an agricultural show, could well be arranged for, and held in Wellington. A good show ground could be found at Miramar and Wonderland would be found to be an additional attraction. This matter would 'be taken up by the association again, and the committee hoped, brought to a successful issue. The industrial associations of Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch had arranged for the holding of a New Zealand Industrial Week from the 4th to the 10th of next month. Th^e Wellington Provincial Industrial Association conferred with the Executive Committee of the association, and as a result the association v;as • co-operating. Everything points to the New Zealand Industries Week proving a great success. Manufacturers had been communicated with, and were making arrangements with their clients, whereby during the weeK shop windows would be dressed entirely with goods manufactured in the Dominion. The City Council had kindiy given permission for the free carriage of streamers on the tram cars, advertising New Zealand Industries Week. The Government had decided to advertise cheap railway fares over certain sections of the ' railways on Friday and Saturday, sth and 6th June. In Wellington, it would probably be from as far north as Pabnerston. Auckland and Christchurch. as well as Wellington, would bo giving what may be termed a "shop exhibition" during the ' week montioned. It must be freely admitted that the extent of manufacturing in New Zealand was distinctly creditable for so young a country. There were no less than fifty-three d*istinct classes of manufacture going on in the Wellington district. New Zealand Industries Week would prove to all, the num ber, and excellence of ~our own manufactures. There was every indication of a busy year before/ the association, and the executive was perfectly satisfied that ere the next annual meeting, many more than now would be . free to admit that the New Zealand Shopkeepers' Association had more that warranted its existence. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £23 3s 6d. Both the report and balance-sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers for tho ensuing year were elected as follows : — President, Mr H 11. Seaton ; vice-presidents, Messrs T Inglis and S. G. Ross ; Executive Committee, W. Ross, J. T. Millington, F. W. Wickens, J. F. Kuch, T. H. Colt, man, L. Christensen, F. J. Oakes, D. S. .Patrick, Geo. Winder, J. P. Shand, C. G. Sherwood, H. J. Hunter; auditors, Messrs. T. Inglis and E. Norton. A special vote of thanks was accorded Mr. T. F. Allen for his services to the association, and it was decided to increase his salary.