COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14282, 3 August 1908, Page 6

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' ASSOCIATION.

SMOKE CONCERT. The New Zealand Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association celebrated the third anniversary of the constitution of tho United Commercial Travellers' Association of Australasia in the club rooms, Dowling street, On Saturday evening. There was a largo and representative gathering of members of' the association and invited' guests present, and (he chair was occupied by the president (Mr F. 11. King). The programme arranged for tlie occasion ineluded few toasts and many instrumental and vocal'items, liberal refreshments, and the speeches made during the evening were short and to the point.. Tho Chairman, in proposing the principal toast—"The United' Commercial Travellers' Association of Australasia,"—drew attention to the substantial progress made by the organisation, whose affiliated bodies now had a roll of 4000 association members, And possess assets valued at £100,000. Its prestige as a commercial institution was undisputed, and, through the various associations affiliated with it, all matters pertaining to tho ordinary routino of a commercial travellers' life were zealously watched, and where possible abuses were remedied. It provided mortuary benefits, relief and scholarship funds, besides an economic system of insurance against sickness or accident. Speaking as tho head of tlie local executive, he felt deeply indebted to the parent body for tho advantages they enjoyed. In this connection many of thoso present were doubtless aware of the movement now taking place in tho North Island with a 1 view to forming an independent federation for New Zealand, It was a matter for rogret, he thought, that hitherto the Wellington antl Auckland bodies had held aloof from completing tho chain of organisation throughout Australasia and recognisng that in the south they had much in common with their Australian brethren; and the wisdom of their own association severing its connection and joining in tho now movement was a matter which could not be hastily settled. Many of them felt that greater benefits were to bo derived through the New Zealand associations being attached to such a powerful body as the U.C.T.A. of Australasia thaji by forming an independent federation for the Dominion. It would bo of great interest to many in tho room io know that a soheme was in progress to form an international league of commercial, travellers, and a ; congress was called in Paris for June ( with this object in view. Invitations to this congress were issued to European and colonial societies, whose combined membership totalled 233,000, and ho had no doubt a most interesting and instructive gathering had taken place. One could haTdly conccive the far-reaoliing potentialities of such a corporation or its effect on tilio economics, peace, and civilisation of the world. Brought into daily contact with commerce in all its ramifications, who waa better able to judge of the reforms needed in tlie varied civil codes of many lands than the commercial traveller? And, whilst preserving the interests of its members, such an institution could not fail to be a boon to humanity at large. In conclusion, lie reminded them that the celebration of their constitution day was inaugurated for the purpose of bringing members together and soliciting their assistance in furthering the objecta of the association by inducing all outside eligible brethren of the road to join at orice, and sccuro tho many advantages and benefits which membership afforded. They also appealed to tlie friendly sympathy and co-operation of employers. Though primarily formed to preserve the interest, of the commercial traveller's daily avocations, their objects had l a wider range, inasmuch as they aimed at succouring the widow, relieving the distressed, and educating the children of members. These were objects which would commend themselves lo allj and lie asked them to honour the toast. The toast was received and acknowledged with enthusiasm. Other toasts honoured were "The City of Dunedin," proposed by D.M'Pherson and responded to bv Cr Taplcy; " Brethren of the Road," proposed by 15. A. de Carlo and responded to by Messrs Watson and Dunlop (Dunedin), Chambers (Wellington), and Stevenson (Invereargill); "Club Members," proposed by the Chairman and acknowledged by Mr D. Oooke. The loyal toast of "His Majesty the King" initiated the proceedings" and " Auld kng 6yne" terminated a very happy_ gathering. During an interval in the proceedings it- was announced that the annual commercial travellers' football match, played at Balclutha. that day between Otago and Southland, had resulted in a win for ' Southland by 8 points to 5, and in connection with this annual event Mrs Jos. Brawn, in a felicitous manner, presented Mr J, C. Henton (who, as secretary, had taken great pains in making it one of tho best of' its kind yet held) with a rug, cigar box, and box of pipe 6. The musical items contributed during tho evening included a piano duo by Messrs D., Cooke and R. Bennell; violin and piano duos (" William Toll" and "Rigoletto"), J. Coombs and D. Ceoke; quartets by F. Salter, J. A. Ilopcraft, J. Jago, and C. W. Kent; solos by J. Jago, A. Harrison, C Otto, A. Wright, F. Salter, and D. White; and a humorous sketch by P. James. Most- of the items were encored.