TWO A. AND P. ASSOCIATIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 June 1927, Page 4

TWO A. AND P. ASSOCIATIONS

(To the Editor.)

-hr, —The following extracts from, the Egmont and Btratiord A. and. P. Associations annual .reports are rather 'interesting in view of tire continual cry tor help from the local association.

At Hawera. the president (Mr. S. C. Tonics), in his address, said: ‘ ‘Before moving the adoption of the balancesheet and accounts for the year ended March 31, 1927, 1 wish to take the opportunity of drawing attention to the serious financial position of this association at the present time. The position's has been put before members at previous annual meetings, both by the treasurer and auditors, but yet the majority do not seem to realise, how serious the question really is. I fhink the best way to give an idea of the situation is to quote the following figures taken from the balance-sheets: 1921, loss £1727; 1922, loss £1262; 1923, 'loss £817; 1924, loss £317; 1925, loss £111; 1926, loss £543 ; 1927, loss £4Ol. In other words, the balance of assets over liabilities has decreased from £5945 in .1920 to £1206 to-day, a total of £4739. This means an average loss of £677 per annum, during the past .seven years.” “

The’ treasurer, inter alia : ‘ ‘No- private business can -afford to show such, a loss from year to 'year -as this asisociaton lias done, and it is up to all the members of the committee -to- treat this -as they would their own business. Suggestions have come forward from time to time for the cutting down of expenses and -increasing the revenue, and it [ is regrettable to think that in every case these have been defeated. The views of those members who have opposed such measures, must change if tiliis- association is -going to- continue its useful work much longer. In the past when the bank overdraft has been almost up to the- limit, members have passed accounts for payment, when if cheques had been issued, would have overdrawn the account. Such an instance may appear trivial, -but it makes one think that the members do- not take their job seriously enough.” At Stratford, the president, Mr. J. W. Boon: “In thanking the members of .-committees, chairman of sections, stewards and secretary for the excellent services given during the year, and fully -appreciating the all round excellence in the organisation m-ade by them in their various departments, I particularly wish to express my thanks to- the ladies for their assistance in the lunch -rooms, kiosk, industrial and junior sections. DURING THE .TEN YEARS THE ASSOCIATION HAS CONDUCTED ITS CATERING ARRANGEMENTS a profit of £I3BO has been made, and for the nine years the kiosk has been in existence a profit of £443. Freni -these figures, it will be at once realised that the satisfactory -financial position we find ourselves in at the - present time is very largely attributed to our lady helpers. HAD THE ASSOCIATION BEEN DEPRIVED OF THIS SOURCE OF REVENUE AND PAID CATERERS FOR LUNCHEONS GIVEN TO THE EXHIBITORS our present poisiti-on would -be hard to realise. I also desire to- thank those who contributed towards prize funds of the association and the all round help given willingly and generously.” The chairman said the report and balancesheet were both very satisfactory. The success of, tlie association _ depended mainly on &< large membership list. The general position of the associations was good and £IOOO had been wiped off the mortgage. I will leave -these extracts from the “Star” reports to speak for themselves. The time for Mutual Admiration Societies has passed and a change in the policy and personnel -of the local association might probably have a decided improvement in results. Thanking you for the space, I am etc., LADY EXHIBITOR,