HAWERA RETAILERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 July 1924, Page 10

HAWERA RETAILERS.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Hawera Retailers’ Association was held in the secertary’s office last night, when there were present.: Messrs W. Gilbert (chair), Skjellerup, West a way, Taylor, Shaw, Ebbett, Barraclough, Strachan, Hodge, Lester, Crompton, Hawkins, Fama, Brunette, Bullock, Playle, and It. S. Sage (secretary). The annual report, as already published, was read arid adopted.* POSTAL MATTERS. The chairman intimated that during the year the association had been instrumental in obtaining an increase of staff during the evenings at the post office counter. MEMBERSHIP. Mr. Brunette considered that the association’s membership was not large enough as compared with the good work done during the year. He thought that the tradespeople should show more interest in their organisation; the very fact that the association had obtained concessions from the post office was sufficient to warrant greater support. Mr. Lester intimated that he had not paid his subscription simply because he could obtain no inkling as to what the association was doing. It appeared to be a dpad body. REPORTING MEETINGS

The matter of the attendance of the press at executive meetings was then discussed, the chairman giving the association’s reason why it had been decided not to have the press present at meetings of the executive? Mr. Lester thought that the exclusion of the press from the executive meetings was a fault. Bv having the meetings reported the members would know what was' being done, and unity would be maintained. Mr. Lester pointed out that confidential matters could be shelved and dealt with later m committee. UNIFORMITY DESIRED. Mr. Hawkins referred to the lack of unity amongst the shopkeepers in conforming with decisions of the executive to close on certain occasions. The position wa s that some closed, while others remained open. There were •sports bodies in the town which were a benefit to it, and when they requested the business people to close there should be no “squabbling” about it. Mr. Crompton said that the members of the executive always stuck to their own decisions, but they had no control over others. It was considered by Mr. Lester that the matter should be dealt with by the whole of the members, but the chairman pointed out that there would still be a division, and very often they had to decide on too short notice to consult all the members. Mr. Lester considered that if the retailers were in close touch with each otlieiy they would get the unity which was desired.

The secretary thought that the unity of the retailers in Hawera was even gieatei than that shown amongst retailers in other towns, and Mr Brunette supported him in this statement. Ihe advisability of deleting certain words in rule 23, so as to provide for trade on Easter Saturday, was discussed, Mr. Westaway moving to that effect a s a notice of motion to be considered at a further meeting. CANVASSERS FOR, DONATIONS. . Mr. Ebbett asked what was the position with regard to donations by retailers to the many canvassers’ who called on them. There was some discussion on the matter and the secretary read a clause in the association’s rules which provided that canvassers who waited on the retailers must first of all be provided by a perriiit from the secretary of the association.

It was decided that cards conveyin' l the rule be printed and hung in shop windows and that permits be insisted upon before subscriptions were given. CHINESE SOCCER TEAM’S VISIt! Mr. Jama said he had heard that the association had refused to support the appeal for a guarantee of £101) to bring the Chinese soccer players to Hawera. The event would brine people from all over Taranaki to wera, and it was a great mistake to have turned the matter down; as it happened other people in the town had provided the necessary guarantee It was explained that the retailers did tmt turn the matter down. Only the chairman and secretary were consulted, as an answer had to be given within twelve hours. The chairman had stated that if other bodies in the town were prepared to support the guarantee then the association would do the same. However, the association heard nothing more of the matter, until now they were dicing accused of having turned the appeal down. The secretary stated that the Chamber of Commerce had not been approached.

Members preseht spoke in supoort of the appeal, it being stated that if the members of the association had been canvassed it would have been found that DO per cent, would have given the support asked. THE TOWN LIGHTING' Mr. Fama drew attention to the -igliting jolf Hawera,( 'and members agreed that the matter was a most important one, the chairman being of opinion that the town required another system of lighting. It was open for the retailers to launch a scheme of community lighting for shops. Two motions were passed, one recommending the Borough Council to do something to bring about a better system of lighting in the town, and the other recommending the executive to launch out on a scheme of community lighting for the shops. ATTRACTIONS FOR PICNICS.

, A suggestion was made by Mr. I’’ama that a recommendation should lie made to the Borough Council for the provision of more facilities at the Park for picnic parties, who at present passed Uav. era and went on to Ngaere. Another suggestion made by Mr. Bullock was that greater attractions should he provided in Hawera during the Christmas season.

.Mr. Shaw thought that if an old d\\tilling were set on fire and' the fire brigade locked up it would serve as an attraction which would bring many into the town on any particular occasion. GENERAL. It was decided to hold a retailers’ dinner on one evening during August. On the motion of Messrs'""’Brunette and Shaw it was decided to support the movement afoot to bring about a speedy completion of the AucklandTaranaki railway. The chairman said he was very pleased to note that at last a definite move was being made with regard to a greater Hawera. From the point of view of the business peonle this was a very important step, a s they all re-

cognised that the town proper was too small in area and population. The following were elected to fill the vacancies on the executive: Messrs Strachan, Skjellernp, Bullock, Barraclough, and Westaway.