COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS

Evening Star, Issue 20591, 17 September 1930, Page 12

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS

ASSOCIATION DAY ACTIVITIES

APPRECIATION EXPRESSED FOR HELP ON SATURDAY

The Otago celebrations connected with Association Hay took place in the Commercial Travellers’ Club on Saturday evening, Mr A. Smellio presiding over a large attendance of members and their lady friends. Telegrams conveying fraternal greetings were received from affiliated associations and th'6 United Association. The President (Mr Smellio), after extending a hearty welcome to the ladies, made brief reference to the affairs of the association. The Otago Association, then known as the New Zealand Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association, was established in 1884, and until the year 1913 was affiliated with the United Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association of Australasia. On the formation of the United Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association _of New Zealand at a conference held in Christchurch on September 13, 1913, Otago seceded from Australia and became part of the New Zealand united body. From that time'on the four affiliated associations had grown in strength and numbers, the total membership having increased from 1,310 in 1913 to 3,500 in 1930. During the intervening years two activities of great interest and advantage to members were started, and now were in a flourishing condition—viz., the accident and insurance department and the ‘ N.Z. Traveller.’ The accident and sickness insurance department was established on June 1, 1913, and had been an undoubted success from its inception. To-day the department had a reserve fund of £6,G00 invested in Government'securities, with a total number of policies in existence of 1,133. Claims paid to date (in eluding six major claims of £SOO each) amounted to £12,073 5s 9d. There was. however, a fair number of members who still remained uninsured under this scheme, and in their own and the association’s interests they were urged to take out a policy at the earliest possible opportunity. The annual premium amounted to £2 12s 6d. The low premium rate and the special benefits secured by the policy made it such that members were remiss in their duty if thov failed to take advantage of it. The ‘ New Zealand Traveller ’ was established on October 1, 1923, the objects being to diffuse information on all matters effecting members generally and to publish matters of interest in regard to trade and commerce. The journal had been a financial success since its inception, and had gradually increased in size; it only needed the fullest support of members to maintain the high standard that it had now attained. Each year an amount had been placed to reserve, and this at present was being used as working capital. Every member who subscribed to the papei was helping to build up a sound business. The success of the paper would ultimately ensure an addition to the funds of each individual association. All that was wanted was more enthusiastic support throughout. Increased circulation would ensure increased advertising, and the two combined would result m greater annual profit. The insurance scheme and the traveller ’ constituted what might be termed the commercial side of the United Association’s work. They were owned by members and managed by members; surely it was their duty to strive to build up what was their own property. It seemed almost unbelievable that members should remain apathetic, yet the figures indicated that this was the ease. The true spirit of membership was not now so manifest as it was in the pioneer days of the association. It had become dormant. Great results bad been achieved in the past. To maintain these and to increase them imposed obligations on present-day members. In each association there were many whose loyalty and enthusiasm showed that they fully realised their responsibilities. On the other hand, there were a greater number who, while willingly admitting that they were benefiting by the unselfish labours of earlier members, did not get the impulse to make them actively loyal and enthusiastic. Passive and inert loyalty would certainly retard progress, an (I it behoved each member to pass under review his attitude towards his own association. Loyalty and enthusiasm, active and intense, throughout the entire membership oi the several affiliated associations, would increase their usefulness beyond all measure, and would give the United Association such a hacking that jts influence in matters affecting its members would be undeniable. Charity efforts for the alleviation of the poor and distressed of our communities had ever been associated in New Zealand with the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association. Clothes, goods, and‘money to the extent of several hundred thousand pounds had been collected by the four affiliated associations. The charity efforts of the local association wore also worthy of mention. The following was the amount of cash which had been raised during ami since the war by the Otago Association :--Big Days 1215,000, Queen Carnival £9,114, Entertainers £2,000 —total, £26,114. A most important feature of the association membership was participation in the mortuary benefit fund. Tin’s fund was established in 1902, and now stood at £11,218 Is 7rL Claims paid to date amounted to £3,032 Is (3d.

During the course of the evening musical items, which were highly appreciated by those present, were rendered by the following artists: —Miss Lucy James, Miss Mary Pratt, Miss Ethel Wallace, Miss Sybil Baker, Messrs B. Wilson-Brown, Sidney Taylor, W. E. Mills, O. E. Reid, Alec Regan, R. Durcdcii, S. G. Angel), and the Idlers’ Quartet. Pianist, Mr 11. D. Rodgers. Supper was handed round, and a very enjoyable evening was brought to a -close with the singing of the National Anthem. In connection with Saturday’s cash and clothes drive the meeting expressed its thanks for the work done by themany people who took an active interestin file campaign. The following were mentioned The organiser (Mr Ben. Ellis), Boy Scouts, schoolboys, motor car and lorry owners. Harbour Board, broadcasters from churches, picture theatres, Mr Voitcb, Mr MTndoe, Big Brother Bill, residents who kindly placed their premises and telephones at the association’s disposal, His Worship the Mayor, Mrs Black and lady helpers who looked after street collection, the association’s members, the public who subscribed so generously, and the Press.