COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 25

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual report of the New Zealand Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association sets forth that tho earnings tor the past year, after deducting all expenses of management and the payment of mortuary claims, amounted to £1386 15s 4d. For the previous year the increase in the funds was £1412 13s 9d, but these figures included the amount received on our retirement from tho United Commercial Travellers' Association of Australasia —viz., £2lB Os sd. On a normal basis, tho headway for last year constitutes a record in the history of tho association. The surplus, however, has been discounted by the sum of £SOO, representing the book loss on the sale of the old club premises. Tho net gain for the year is consequently £835 15s 4d. Tho amount written off for depreciation, repairs, and maintenance is £SB 15s 6d. The entire cost of furnishing the old club premises, which exceeded £llOO, has been written off, with the exception of £2OO, representing the two quite recently acquired billiard tables now transferred to the new club. The association's funds now stand: Permanent relief fund, £3256 8s; association account, £5756 13s Id; mortuary benefit fund, £6656 5s lOd; scholarship fund, £5. At tho last annual conference in Christchurch a scheme was evolved for the creation of an " All for Empire League" for tho elimination of enemy trade from, the dominion. A meeting of members was held in our club room on March 3. Following this a public meeting of citizens, convened by tho Mayor, was' held in the King's Theatre on March 24, and the Otagc centre of the league having thus been established, the propaganda work passed into the hands of the committee appointed by the citizens. Another item of interest was our members' participation in tho United Commercial Travellers' Art Union in aid of the Navy Relief Fund. The united efforts of the four associations resulted in £642 being raised for this patriotic purpose. A committee of travelling members was set up in August last to collect funds for tho purpose of sending a letter and a package of useful " odtls and ends" to each of our members doing duty at the front. Many of our members and several sons of members have enlisted for active service abroad since the commencement of tho war. Some of them have already laid down their livee for the Empire. A suitable roll of honour, bearing the names of our members on active service, has been installed in tho club, but a more permanent memorial will be provided at the close of the war. Financial members' roll at November 30: Association, 376, as against 370" last year; club, 171, as against 142 last year. The committee sincerely regrets to record the deaths of seven association members during the year—viz. : N. A P. Johnson (killed in action), W. J. Gliddon (killed in action), Colin Gunn (killed in action), John MTndoe, S. J. Evans, B. R. Simpson, A. M'Bey, also club member Mr Charles Begg. This opportunity is taken to record sincere regret at the loss of these esteemed members, and sympathy with their relatives in their bereavement.