GORE RETAILERS' ASSOCIATION.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 945, 14 September 1901, Page 6

GORE RETAILERS' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above Association was held on Thursday night, and was attended by twelve members, Mr A. J. Gibbs (president) occupying the chair. The report and balance-sheet were read by the secretary, and contained reference to the continued prosperity of the Association. Although they had a credit balance, the Association was not formed for the purpose of making money, but rather as a protection for the retailers in general, and to assist from its funds any deserving objects brought under its notice. There were a number of institutions in the town deserving of support, and they should be assisted as far as possible. Two members had withdrawn during the year, and the total membership was '23. .Regret was expressed that not more retailers had joined the Association, as they would receive many indirect benelits. Hegret was also expressed that it was feared some persons took shelter behind the Association, and thus gained privileges which they did not pay for. If the Association ceased to exist many people would find that the reign of subscriptions and donations to every possible thing would soon bo in full swing again. Owing to a fire the rules and by-laws of the Association were destroyed, and tlicy should be printed and brought up to date. The question of bad debts was a serious one, and required close attention, but if the members stuck by one another the bad debts eould be weeded out altogether, and members would be protected. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts for tho year (including balance in hand from the previous year) were £33 8s (id, and the expenditure £2l His (id, leaving a credit balance of £8 12s to commence the year's operations.

The President said that unless they induced the whole of the retailers of Goio to join the Association, it would hardly be possiblo to carry on. The income was not large enough, and if the subscription was doubled the Association would become more popular, as it would then be enabled to subscribe to a number oi deserving institutions which it could not support at present. There were influences at work which threatened to weed out the small traders, and it behoved the Association members to stick together. In regard to bad debts, a scheme would he laid before them for discussion, and something should bo done in the matter. A good deal of inconvenience was occasioned by the numerous holidays during recent months, and an expression of opinion would be taken as to whether employees should not get a regular yearly holiday. Kules would also require to be framed, as their rules were practically a dead letter. He moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr J. Boyne in seconding the -motion said he thought the committee should have stated what institutions deserved support. He thought it would be absurd to ask traders to close lor a week at a stated time. With few exceptions employees now got a week or fortnight's annual holiday, and they also got their weekly holiday, and ho considered that sufficient. If the majority agreed that the subsciiption should be raised the minority would have to fall in. A number of trad, r i outside the Association membership were reaping the benelit of its efforts.

Mr J. MucGibbon considered the secretary deserved thanks for the manner in which he had drawn up his report. In regard to holidays, he was of opinion that it would be more convenient if all hands had a week and be done with it, as considerable incot.venience was now experienced between Christinas and Easter holidays. It would have been better if the institutions the committee thought worthy of support had been mentioned.

Mr Anderson considered the Association should give more support to deserving clubs and societies, which drew people to the town. He mentioned the Fanciers' Club among others as having requested a donation from the retailers' committee without success. Mr Trew said a line had to be drawn somewhere ; if the Association supported one institution, then every other would look for the same.

Mr Martin thought the Association was in danger of becoming a close corporation. He instanced several institutions which were deservnig of support, including the Caledonian Society. Mr Domigan had often advocated making the funds of the Association spread over a number of institutions. Tho A. and I'. Association was practically tho only one which now had any assistance. < Mr S. G. lnder was of opinion that the secretary should canvass the members for subscriptions for any institution decided upon by tho committee, and the money so obtained be given in the name of the Association. In the matter of bad debts, if each member brought in a list of " bad marks " each meeting, the committee could then frame a black list, and the members of the Association refuse to serve these people. The '• bud marks would quickly pay their debts when they found their credit stopped, and the members of the Association would feel that they were getting some benefit from it. / Mr J. Boyne and Mr MacGibton pointed out that the Association had subscribed to the Fire Brigade, Indian Famine, and Patriotic Funds during the year to n considerable sum.

Several members considered £lO 10a ton much tor one society to receive. Tho A. mid P. Association received that amount, and other institutions were deserving of a portion.

The Chairman did not think £lO 10=> too much to subscribe to the A. and I'. Association, as Show day was the day of tho year in Gore. It was very disheartening to people who practically guaranteed prizes to lind that they got no assistance from shopkeepers, who reaped a large harvest by the inllux of people to attend the various shows and sporls. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. A letter was read from the Gore Caledonian Society asking that the Association's secretary be allowed to canvass the members of the Association for support.

Mr Gibbs moved : "That the secretary be empowered to canvass for subscriptions and donations from members on behalf of the Caledonian Society."—Mr Wyber seconded. The motion gave rise to a very long and sometimes heated discussion. The view taken by some members was that subscriptions and donations from members should be paid to the secretary, who should hand them to tho Society in tho name of the Kotailers' Association, while others considered if the door were opened in this case every society would the same privilege, and the use of the Association would he gone. The motion /sas lost by 5 to 0 votes. The election of otlice-bearers resulted us follows:—President, Mr A. J. Gibbs; secretary, Mr W. Domigan ; committee, Messrs J. Mac Gibbon, G. F. Trew, G. Holden, J. !\J; Barron, and S. G. Inder. / It was resolved that Gibbs. 11 .:i.i tran, Trew, iind Inder tc a sub c mimiliee to draft rules and by-laws, and to present the same at an adjourned meetirg of ihe Association to be held on Thursday night. The question of arranging sub-cripli.ms and dealing with h.di<! iys and bid debts was held over till the same evening. A vote of thanks and a sum of £3 3s was voted to the secretary for his services, and the president was specially thanked for the use of his room for meetings of the Association. The meeting then adjourned.