MR G. H. BENNETT HONOURED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 119, 19 April 1934, Page 2

MR G. H. BENNETT HONOURED

PRESENTATION MADE. The members of the New Zealand Booksellers’ Association, at present meeting in Wellington, took the opportunity yesterday to make a presentation to Mr G. H. Bennett, of Palmerston North, who has filled the office of president of the association since 1928. In asking Mr Bennett to accept a cabinet wireless set as a mark or the high esteem in which he is held, Mr B. E. H. Whitcombe, of Christchurch, said that during the seven years Mr Bennett had been president he had performed an extraordinary service to booksellers and had some most difficult tasks, including important negotiations with the publishers. As the result of his visit to England the association was held in high repute by the trade there. The speaker expressed regret that health reasons had necessitated Mr Bennett’s retirement. Mr C. W. Peynter (Wanganui) said that had it not been for Mr Bennett and the support he commanded from members the association would not have been where it was that day. Messrs R. C. O’Connor and H. C. South (Wellington), B. H. Utting (Auckland) and A. A. Davies (representative of the publishers) also praised Mr Bennett’s work as president, and lauded his personal qualities. Mr Bennett, m feelingly acknowledging the honour which had been done him, said he loved the trade and bad an affection for the booksellers of New Zealand, who had received him most cordially wherever lie had gone. Ho thought that the greatest thing the association had done was to bring the booksellers of the Dominion together and make them feel a spirit of brother, hood. He hoped it would grow and prosper until the trade conditions were ideal.