N.Z. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3018, 17 January 1912, Page 33

N.Z. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. There were 76 members of the Now Zealand Commercial Travellers' Association in attendance at the annual meting held at the Commercial Travellers' Club, in Dowling street, on Saturday night. Mr A. H. Bridger presided. In proposing the adoption of the report and balance sheet the President said he vva-s quite sure the members would appreciate the tact that the club was in a very sound posi tion, their account standing at £9804 l?.s 7d, or £1442 to tho good for the year. Of this latter amount £784 was a profit on tho sale of tho Octagon property, and tho actual profit for the year was Jb'6s3. He thought they had a great deal to be thankfid for in the way of profits for tho year, and tho financial success of the association: The next item on tho balance sheet —the Mortuary Benefit Fund—was also in a satisfactory state, the credit being £3828 0s lOd. This fund was being appreciated in a silent way and it became a very necessary and useful ihelp, when people were requiring it. Referring to the accident insurance sriheniie Mr Bridgor said a great many members had taken advantage of the liberal provisions of this policy. He (jointed out that the benefits to be derived for tho annual payment of £1 Is wore considerable, and expressed the hope that those who had not taken out policies would do so at once. With reference to the Northern Association, he said he was sorry there had been no more in tho direction of an amalgamation with this association The members generally, however, hoped that something would bi done towards consummating this dosire in tho near future, and that they would have a united body throughout Australasia. —(Applause ) The social part—which included the athletic sec tion —ihad gone on well during tho year. Tho annual football match was won by Invercahgill, which held the association's banner. Ho hoped that the local team would get into training early this; year, and that they would succeed in bringing tho much coveted trophy back. Great interest was taken in these fixtures, and year by year the interest increased. The committee, after disposing of its property in the Octagon, had purchased another in Bowling street, at a very satisfactory figure and bo was sure the members would ali endorse the action of the committej. The position of the association generally was most satisfactory, *nd the past year bad been one of steady progress, and he was quite sure that tho club and the associated members would do all they could to see that thvj success hitherto achieved continued ; so fch.it they would be as proud of the association a 3 Australians were of theirs. Mr Bridger referred briefly to the deaths of Messrs G. M. Cameron, R. R. Taylor, and P. S. Biodie, late members of I lie association. He concluded his remarks by saying that his term as president had been a most easy one, which, he said, was due to the great assistance given him by th -> secretary, Mr Brown, and also by the oommittee. He trusted the incoming president would receivo similar assistance. —Mr Gillan seconded the motion. Mr G. B. Ogilvie said there were one or two items on tfljie balance sheet which might have been made a little more explicit. He referred to the secretary, manager, and attendants salaries. A comparison with 1910 would also not have been amiss. He also asked if it were possible for associated members to see the books of tho association

Mr Allan said he did not think it advisablo that the salaries of tho staff should be diseussed in open meeting. Mo thought Ihoy could safely leave this matter to the committee. —(" Hear, hear '') It would bo unfair to have such matters brought up at this meeting. Mr OgilvLo: Every member has a right tc know what salaries are paid to employees.

Mr Allan stated that those items could be obtained from the secretary. Dealing with tho question of a federation of New Zealand clubs, Mr Allan said this was a matter that members should devote their whole attention to. It was a ridiculous thing that clubs in a small country like this .should be at loggerheads. He was plbascd to learn from the president's remarks that there was some prospect of a federation being brought alwut. Mr Ogilvio caid ho did not want to appear too insistent, but as an associated member —of only two months' standing, it "was true —he would like to know if associated members could examine the books of the association.

The President: Yes, certainly The report and balance sheet wore adopted. Mr Brown said there was a matter which had to be brought up at this meeting with reference to accident insurance. lie pointed out that this association was working with tho New Zealand Insurance Company with which it had been able to make exceedingly satisfactory terms, and had carried on business with tho company with mutual satisfaction, the company having acted very well toward- the association. This had. however not been the case with the brethren in Australia. Some little ti.ne ago the companies interested in insurance there decide d to raise the rates to the Austialaeian Association 100 per cent., and tho result was that the United Association was not willing to submit to the demands of the company with which it did business. At the last confer"nce it was announced that arrangement had been made for carrying on the insurance scheme indopedent of tho companies, and that there was substantial backing behind the association. This a-ssoeiation had been advised that in the event of anything of a like nature happening in conner.-tion with its insurance scheme, that it vould be able to participate in the United Association's scheme. This association did not want to take any such action, as it was perfectly satisfied with its present arrangements. ]f it was forced to, tho committee should have the right, to enter into an arrangement with the United Association. He read the following formal on this matter, which wa/l proposed by, the president, and seconded by Mr B. W. Mitchell, and carried:--" That this Association cordially approves of the schenW' for the carrying on of tho business of accident and sickness insur?/ioe by the United Association, as subrr.i'tted to this and requests its delegate* to tbV annual confer-

enee to agree to such alterations and conditions in and to the rules of the United Association as may be necessary to give effect to such a scheme." ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected : —Pre sident, Mr D. M'Pherson; vice-presidents -Messrs J. Mitchell, Fred. Peafce. T. C. M. Rollinshaw. J. C. Hinton, F. W. Mitchell, E. A. De Carle; committee—Messrs J. R. Glover. C. Otto. F. Bennett, J. T. Gillam, J. L. Gardiner, D. F. Murie, John M'lndoo. At the conclusion of election, Mr Brown intimated that before next election some steps would be taken to alter the system of electing officers In this connection he thought it would be well to adopt the Australian system.