RADIO DEALERS’ ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21640, 10 May 1932, Page 14

RADIO DEALERS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING ACTIVITIES OF OTAGO BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Otago branch of the Radio Dealers’ Association was held in the board room of the Rnployers’ Federation last evening. The president (Mr H. E. Barth) occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated, inter alia: — The total membership now stood at 13, as against 15 at the commencement of the year, the two resignations being due to the fact that the firms thus withdrawing their support were no longer interested in the trade. Practically all the local dealers were now enrolled, so that it might safely be said that the association was fully representative of the radio trade in Dunedin. Since the last annual meeting 11 general meetings had been held, and, in addition, there had been eight meetings of the executive. While the attendance at the general meetings had, on the whole, been fairly satisprovement in this respect. YoUr executive had always made it a rule to call meetings only when there was something important to discuss, and the hope was expressed that during the ensuing year members would attend in force. Of the various matters discussed during the past year the following had been the more important:—Portable licenses, Chattels Transfer Act, dealing in sets by unlicensed persons, demonstrations, broadcasting control, electric regulations, and price-cutting. In addition, quite a number of minor questions affecting the industry had been dealt with at special meetings of the executive. On August 25 last a Dominion conference was held in Wellington, chiefly for the purpose of discussing what attitude should be taken up by dealers in regard to the Broadcasting Bill then being considered by the Government. It had been decided that this association should be represented at the conference by the president, but he was unable to attend, and his place was filled by Mr W. G. V. Fernie. In addition to the broadcasting control question, a number of other important subjects were discussed, satisfactory progress being made over such matters as power board trading, servicemen’s examinations. and amended regulations. Conference also took the opportunity of laying its views before the Post and Telegraph Department officials with regard to patent rights, dumping of sets, and class 3 licenses.

At a special general meeting held on September 14, Mr Fernie delivered a comprehensive and interesting account of those proceedings, and wa» accorded a hearty vote of thanks for the time and attention given by him to the affairs of the association while in Wellington. As members were aware, a further conference was hold in Wellington on April 27. On this occasion the association was again represented by Mr Fernie, who at a subsequent meeting presented a full report of what transpired, being once more thanked for his able services on behalf ot his fellow-dealers. Those members who were unable to attend that meeting would have noted from their copies of the Wellington report that the results of the conference were eminently satisfactory. The expediting of the business was largely due to the adoption by the other main centres of this association’s suggestion that representation and voting , power at conference, be cut down to a minimum, and the executive took this opportunity to place on record its appreciation of the friendly spirit shown in this respect by the various associations concerned, especially Wellington. Thanks were also due to Mr Camp for his valuable assistance not only at conference, but throughout the year. Before leaving this subject the executive desired to express its appreciation of the action of the Christchurch Association in suggesting the interchange of copies of minutes between the various centres. This idea had been found very helpful. NEW ZEALAND FEDERATION. ■ For some considerable time it had been apparent to radio dealers throughout the Dominion that the growing importance ot their industry callea for some improvement in organisation-. This led to a feeling that consideration should be given to the advisability or otherwise of breaking awav from the New Zealand-Electrical Federation altogether, and forming a separate body. The question was eventually put into concrete form by the Auckland Association, and, after being freely canvassed by all the centres concerned, it was found that opinions were divided. At a representative meeting of Dunedin dealers held in April it was unanimously resolved, after a full discussion—" That this association recommends the setting up of a central executive committee working in harmony with the New Zealand Electrical Federation and composed of a direct representative from each of the radio associations _ throughout the Dominion, with provision for adequate representation from radio importing firms,” It was satisfactory to note that the decision of the recent Dominion Conference on the subject was practically, in line with our suggestion. On the grounds of expense and for other cogent reasons, conference considered it inadvisable to secede from the Electrical Federation. The continuation of this arrangement would, however, be subject in future to proper safeguards being evolved to ensure the interest of radio dealers generally. The main point of the reorganisation scheme was that the controlling body of the radio section should be composed of one representative from each association, and that the committee thus formed should meet quarterly or oftener should urgent business arise. Provision was also being made for adequate representation of the industry on the executive of the Electrical Federation. It would be necessary to appoint a Dunedin representative on the Central Committee. RADIO EXHIBITION. Members who attended the meeting held on March 2 would recollect that among the correspondence was a letter from the Otago Radio Association asking for an expression of opinion from the dealers in the matter of holding the usual annual exhibition. On that occasion it was decided to say in reply that in view of the general depression the association was not prepared to support the idea of holding any local exhibition during the present year. THANKS.

In conclusion the executive desired to tender its best thanks to all members for their valued co-operation and support during the year that was past. While this report aspired to give no more than a brief outline of the association’s activities during the period under mention, enough had been said to show that very real progress was being made. As the trade grows, problems were of course bound to arise from time to time, and these were best solved by members getting together as occasion demands. The association offered every facility in this way, and it was sincerely hoped that members would not lose sight of the fact that the progress and prosperity of their organisation was entirely dependent on the amount of work, apart from money, that they themselves put into it as individuals. The president moved the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, and said that the most important occurrence of the year for radio dealers was the transference of the control ot broadcasting from a private company to a Government board. They could not say yet what or would be gained by the change. They could just hope for the best. He thought they would all agree that they had received good treatment from the Radio Broadcasting Company. He referred ■ to the proposal for the breakaway from the Now Zealand Electrical Federation. The matter had been thoroughly threshed out, and he was glad to be able to say that the views expressed-by the Otago branch at a previous meeting in respect of central control and a continued affiliation with the parent body had been adopted. The Dunedin Association had suggested that the radio dealers should not secede from ,the federation, subject to proper safeguards being taken to ensure the protection of the interests of the radio section. It was further proposed that the controlling body of the radio section should be composed of one representative from each section or association, and that the controlling committee should meet quarterly at least, and if possible more frequently. These conditions now obtained and the effect of the change was that there would be no further friction or misunderstanding under the new system, white radio dealers would be well catered for. In conclusion, the chairman ex-

pressed tbe appreciation of the Dunedin branch in respect of the co-operation, afforded by all other branches, and also expressed special thanks to the committee arid members for the assistance they had given during the year. To Mr W. G. V. „ Fernie the association owed a special debt of gratitude for bis active participation in the year’s work. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. .The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —President, Mr H. E. Barth; vice-president, Mr W. G. V. Fernie; executive Messrs E. McCarthy, E. Calder, A. G. M'Carthy; delegate to Controlling Committee, Mr Fernie. RESTRICTING DEMONSTRATIONS. The meeting discussed proposals for standard conditions and questionnaires to be submitted to prospective buyers, these to be set out on a standard form which will be possible of adoption throughout the Dominion. Mr M'Carthy submitted suggestions for the restriction of demonstration periods and other safeguards against the loss of time and:money as a result of unconditional trials and unlimited demonstrations.

Another suggestion that the. Government be asked to require a permit for demonstrations and also to compel all dealers to notify the Post and Telegraph Department concerning all sets installed with a view to having ,a license fee of 2s 6d for specified periods of demonstration was exhaustively discussed, but finally rejected. It was unanimously agreed that some scheme should be evolved for the purpose of making it compulsory for all dealers to observe certain regulations with a view to eliminating the abuses that now exist. Certain amendments were suggested in respect of Mr M'Carthy’s scheme, and it was agreed that, with certain additions, an outline of the proposals should be forwarded to other centres. PERIODS OF GUARANTEE.

The question of the duration of guarantees and periods and “ free service ” was discussed.

Mr Fernie suggested that a general standard for the whole Dominion was necessary. What they had to do was fix a period. There was ho reason why dealers should shoulder heavier guarantees than the manufacturers were prepared to undertake.

The suggestion was made that a 90*day guarantee and free service should be given for both sets and valves, the guarantee to be official for the Dealers’ Association, and to take the form of a printed card containing the names of all association dealers in the district. It was agreed that the suggestion should be embodied in a resolution to be forwarded to the Controlling Committee .in Wellington for discussion from the point of view of Dominion application.