TRAVELLERS AND WAREHOUSEMEN.

Evening Star, Issue 15064, 21 December 1912, Page 11

TRAVELLERS AND WAREHOUSEMEN.

Tho annual report' of, the New Zealand Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association for tho 12 months ended 30th November last says.: It is with great satisfaction that the committee are able ip state that the past year has established a financial record in tho'history ot the association.- It ia true that the headway made dining tho year ended November, 1911, exceeded that of the past year, tho amounts being respectively £1,442 and £l,lOl, but tho figures of the former year wore swelled by the inclusion of the profit re 7^ 011 n ibO J? I;i of tho octa S Oll property (i/84). On ordinary business the past year’s ex , c ? ct^„ < °f its predecessor by £442 la 4d. Die association’s funds now aggregate a total of £10,905, being an inni e im °,m 11:0 Previous years figures of iuo 4 amount written ofi for depreciation, repairs, and maintenance is £l6O 2s cci; and includes tho final attack aramst furmture account. It may be noted that the amounts written off this account since the OP;,™ 1 ” of the preseut promises in March. 1898, total £790. There might have been reasonable excuse for some portion of this amount remaining on the books, but the committeo have all along held to the opinion that benefit funds should not bo based on assets of this nature, and accordingly tho item has been gradually reduced, and has now reached the point of extinction. This year tho sum of £533 18s has been credited to the mortuary benefit fund from members’ subscription, £2OO from the association s profits (making a total contributed under this head of £1,050), and £153 15s from interest account, which bring- the capital account to £3,497 15s, with £265 Is at credit of dividend accoimt to provide for claims during the ensuing year. The fund was established in October, 1902, with a capital of £SOO contributed by the association. During last year fivo deaths occurred in the ranks of the association membership. The dividends paid amounted to £228 ss, which fell just within tho amount available for dividends at commencement of last year, thus permitting a transfer to dividend reserve account of £2O 13s. Tho amount at credit of dividend accoimt at close of the year, £265 Is, has again enabled your committee to fix tho amount of the maximum dividend far tho ensuing year at £SO. Tho committeo again desire to call attention to tho liberal accident insurance policy arranged with tho accident branch of the New Zealand Insurance Company, Limited. This privilege applies to association and club members. A considerable number of members have taken advantage of the liberal provisions of this policy, but there are still a largo number who have not insured. Tho committeo have no hesitation in strongly urging those members to take out policies without delay.

Several important interviews have taken place with the railway authorities regarding the irksome nature of the regulations affecting tho carriage of, samples under excess tickets—faulty carriages; inadequate smoking accommodation on south express; demand for payment of fares in cases where travellers had inadvertently failed to carry their season tickets; strain on platform on Monday mornings causing great inconvenience to travellers in getting their luggage on the train; attempted prohibition of sale* of newspapers on trains; irregular system of charging for bags placed by travellers in left-luggage room, etc., etc. As members are aware, the suggested improvements iu several cases were immediately authorised, but in some instances the committee’s representations did not meet with a favorable response. Our deputations have always been received with unfailing courtesy, but it seems somewhat difficult to get the railway management to recognise that some distinction should be made between commercial men and the general public. However, desirable alterations have been made, and improvements to train services effected on our suggestions. The, association need never hesitate about approaching the department ’as Ion" as it is clear that representations ate reason* able. <

The annual conference of the United Asso ciation was held in Launceston at Easter Our association were represented by Pros! dent M'Phersou and Yice-sreaident F. W

Mitchell. The most importaiit business dealt with was thoaccident and sickness insurance scheme, wliich was unanimously adopted. The scheme was launched on Ist July, aiid has beert a splendid success throughout the affiliated associations in the Commonwealth States. Unfortunately, it cannot yet bo extended to New Zealand, owing to the existence of certain prohibitive financial conditions imposed by Government in respect to the conduct of insurance business in New Zealand. Ways and means may he found of having these conditions relaxed' as applying to our association, and thus permit of" our participating in the system provided by our own organisation. Steps are being taken in this direction.

The United Association's position ia New Zealand was again discussed at considerable length. Our delegates were unable to lay any definite proposals before tho conference towards fixing a common basks of affiliation. with the united body cn tho part of the three New Zealand associations. 'They again asked the conference for time, in order that a furtlier attempt might be made to induce the Northern associations to affiliate with the united body on some approved basis. An application from the New Zealand Federation for reciprocity in regard to entry to clubs was favorably considered by the conference. The following resolution was carried:-—“ That the reciprocal arrangements desired by the United Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association of New Zealand in regard to the entry to clubs bo entered into, in tho hope that it may result in a closer bond of union at some* future date.” Our representatives strongly supported the motion, in the hope that it would prove an initial step towards the fuller union aimed at. Since then the subject of federation with the Northern associations has again been taken up, and the committees of the Northern associations aro now considering the proposals made to them. It is intended to make a strong effort to induce our Northern friends to send representatives to tho forthcoming conference, in order to provide full opportunity for a satisfactory settlement or this long-debated question being cojikj to on the spot. Until a closer relationship is reached there can bo no satisfaction anywhere. With two united bodies existing side, by side in New Zealand there must- be a, continual clashing of interests, and as long as the existing conditions last tho position will become more acute, and perhaps more hopeless. In an organisation such as ours, unity of thought and action is its very life. Surely this is not unattainable. In tho words of United President Duncan at the conference: “Let us hope that in a short tinio there will bo a complete union in New Zealand and throughout the whole of Australia.”

Financial members’ roll at 30th November, 1912, stood: —Association, 343, as against 502 last year; club. 116, as against 101 last year. Tho committee desire in conclusion to acknowledge their appreciation of the double honor Which has this year fallen to New Zealand iu the selection of our president (Mr D. M‘P hereon) as president of tho United Association of Australasia, and the choice of Dmiedin as tho place for holding the next annual conference. Members will realise that it will involve considerable sacrifice on the part of our Australian' brethren to make so distant a visit, and the committee feel confident that no urging will be required iiy order to secure tho loyal cooperation of members in according the visitors a hearty welcome, and in promoting by every possible means their pleasure and comfort during their brief stay here. No definite announcement can yet bo made as to date, but tho conference will probably commence their sitting on the Tuesday immediately following Easter Monday.