THE HAWERA MERCANTILE UNION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume 4, Issue 485, 3 May 1883, Page 2

THE HAWERA MERCANTILE UNION.

A well-attended meeting of tradespeople was held in the Borough Chambers last evening, for the purpose of forming a trade protection society. Mr. Max. D. King was voted to the chair. In his opening remarks he said the object of the meeting was to endeavor to establish a society for the purpose of j watching the interests of th« trade of the borough and district, and devising schemes for checking the present abnormal credit I system ; as, under the garb of credit, unprincipled persons were literally robbing the storekeepers throughout the district. It was not intended to attempt to put a stop to credit on a legitimate footing, but to endeavor to check thosa who take all the goods they can from each store in rotation, without ever intending to pay. The credit system was a fair and useful way of doing business, and it was not to the interests of storekeepers to have its usefulness marred by such unprincipled conduct. The society would also prove a terror to fraudulent bankrupts, as society could take up & glaring case where individuals would not care to incur the onus. The reduction of freights and railway charges and railway management were questions on which they could work with mutual benefit. The chairman also thought the extenaion of the railway from Hawera southwards, in preference to having it come leisurely towards Hawera, was a matter of immediate importance to our business ; leaving the question of the ultimate great benefit to the district, which will be conferred by its early completion. There was no doubt that the navvies and those engaged on the works did not spend any of their earnings in Hawera ; because, with the ballast engines and trollies, they had every facility for going to Patea, and so it would continue until the works were nearly completed. Of all the thousands which have been spent between this and Patea, Hawera has received no benefit. If the works were begun at this end as well, not only would we have the benefit of the railway being opened sooner, but the spendings of all the money within a certain distance. However, it would be for th» sociaty to decide upon what subjects should be taken up, and the general scope of its action. Mr. Davidson moved, and Mr. Bobbins seconded, that a society be formed in Hawera, to be called the Hawera Mercantile /Onion. The mover's happy choice of a name was carried unanimously. Proposed by Mr. Duff, seconded by Mr. Adams, that Mr. C. H. McCatchan be secretary and treasurer pro tern. Carried. Mr. Davidson moved, and Mr. Doff seconded, that any person carrying on a wholesale or retail business be eligible for membership. The mover said he proposed this qualification in order that the scope of the society might not be limited to any town. It would allow tradespeople of other parts to become members, as there were various questions which interested business people throughout the district, and on which they conld co-operate with mutual advantage. Carried. It was resolved that the names of those present be taken down as members. The secretary then took down the names of eighteen. Apologies were received from several business people, who cordially approved of the movement, and intended to join. Mr. Bobbins proposed, and Mr. Adams seconded, "That a committee be appointed, consisting of Messrs Duff, Adams, Davidson, the Chairman, and the mover, to draw up rules, &c." Eesolved, That the Secretary procure any periodicals and stationery necessary for the Union. Numerous matters of private detail and suggeations were discussed by the meeting, after which it was resolved that the next meeting be held on Thursday, the 10th instant, to receive the report of the committee and transact general business.

The usual hollow debate and sham division took place upon the Payment of Members Bill (says the Victorian correspondent of the Hawke's Ba^r Some members were of opinion that reinbursement detracted from the honor of the position. Others thought £300 a-year insufficient, and suggested £3000 ; while a third section argued a pro rota compensation, i.e., payment according to the time occupied in Parliamentary 1 duties. The division was not 80 well managed as usual, the contents far outnumbering the dissentients $ it is always eventually decided in favor of the proposition, but heads are usually counted, and the bashful members vote with the "noes," taking great care, however, to leave a small majority on the other side, There have been in the past a few instances of members who voted for the measure and yet declined to accept* the payment, but no ease is on record, in which a member has voted against the principle and refused to take the money.