DRAPERS’ FEDERATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 17

DRAPERS’ FEDERATION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference oi tho New Zealand Drapers, Clothiers, and Boot Retailers’ Federation was opened in the Early Settlers’ Hall on Wednesday by the Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley, M.i’.) and Mr J. Sutherland Ross {president of the Exhibition Cornpany). in ere was an excel Is;.. aitonnanoe from ah parts of the Dominion. "dr 'iapley, in weh?.niii;g the delegates, referred to the importance of the many conferences now being held in Dunedin, and expressed his pleas. '.re at meeting the rep resen tativoe of the drapers. lie gave members a cordial welcome to the city, and hopCvt their deliberations would be fruitful of good. Mr Sutherland Ross welcomed the delegates. The success of the Exhibition was due not to one man, but to wonderful team work by the business people and the general community. He felt sure it marked a milestone of progress, and showed that our manufactures were marching in step with tho primary industries. * Ho hoped they as drapers would find time to see the wonderful displays of New Zealand manufactures, and that back in their own businesses they would give them support. Tho Exhibition authorities cordially welcomed the delegates. That afternoon the .ladies of tho party were being entertained by the directors of the Exhibition. Mr Percy J. W. White (New Plymouth) president of tho federation, thanked the Mayor raid Mr Ross for their cordial welcome to Dunedin. The Exhibition, he said, had done a great deal for New Zealand- it had given a new meaning to the name “New Zealander.’’ Mr Dick* (president of the local association. formally welcomed the delegates, and was agreeably surprised to seo so large a After formal business, the election cf officer?, was proceeded with, and resulted as follows President, Mr P. L. Hateted; vice-president, Mr H. V. Free (Christchurch); member of Advisory Board, Mr W. Simms (Wellington); auditor, Mr W. B. Nioholls; members o? Executive Coun--6 a telling the president's chair. Mr Hoisted ssid he took the appointment as a tribute to Otag.\ which was for years the first association hi New Zealand. He paid n compliment to the retiring president. who had been an ideal office-bearer anrl deserved the heartiest thanks of the conference. On Mr Halsto.Vs motion a hearty vote of 1 hanks to Mr White was carried by acclamation. it EMITS. Election Day Closing.--It was decided to persist in efforts to have legislation carried leaving it optional to close shops on election -day. Licensing of Traders. —It was decided that the Advisory Board discuss the effect of proposed registration with the Tobacconists’ Association. Holidays.—Considerable -discussion took place on the proposed amendment eliminating saints’ days as bank holidays and ensuring uniformity of holidays, and finally it was decided to refer the matter to the Advisory Board. Tra ding by Public Bodies.—This was the subject of discussion which embraced particularly the trading by power boards and the purchase of uniforms by schools and harbour boards. In the latter cases it was held to be unfair to traders who were able to give better value than could be obtained by people who did not know the trade, and therefore could not import to advantage. In addition, the growth of the school uniform ideas and the frequent changes meant a hardship to many parents. INCOME TAX DISCRIMINATION. The remit asked that city firms should not be compelled to pay both graduated land and income taxes, whereas the farmer paid no income tax. and his land was of a lesser value than city properties. The President (Mr P. L. Halsted) thought they should concentrate on the removal of graduated land tax from city properties. The Drapers’ Federation was a very large and important body, and should press the Govrenment for a revision of a tax that was never intended to be levied. CHEQUE AND RECEIPT TAX. The remit to ask reduction from 2d to Id was carried by 17 to 13. DAMAGED GOODS AT AUCTION. Discounts to credit customers; wholesale houses, civil service, trading and credit associations were subjects dealt with. C.O.D. PARCELS. ft was strongly urged that the system of sending parcels from abroad for which the post office collected 4d per parcel be ended. During the discussion the speakers gave instances of goods coming in at 25 per cent. Customs duty when retailers would have to pay 40 per cent. Instances were given of boots coming in without examination, whereas boot retailers were subject to th<i most harassing regulations, and of imrni grants bringing out goods for their friends here. It was considered that the C. system had little to recommend it, and was grossly unfair to traders. DEFENCE SUPPLIES. It was considered that the Government should sell its surplus goods in bulk and be done with trading, which must be a steady loss. The opinion was expressed that the department was still purchas ; ng, as so many years had elapsed since the Armistice, and the stocks still held were very large.—Mr T. Forsyth, M.P., agreed to investigate the matter in Wellington and ascertain the position. conferenceTconcluded. The conference resumed in the Early Settlers' Hall on Thursday morning. Mr P.

L. Hoisted (president of the federation) presiding over a large attendance. REMITS. Motor Car Restrictions. -District associations were recommended to watch the trend of local by-laws as regards parking. It was stated that such regulations in some American cities had changed the shopping area. Labour Doctrines. —A discussion took place upon the efforts to foster “ class consciousness,” which prevented good feeling between employer and employee, and as the federation desired to promote goodwill, it was concerned at the growth of this propaganda.—The matter was referred to the Advisory Board for consideration. Staff Training.—For many mouths the federation has been corresponding with associations at Homo and in America with regard to the work done there by instructors of salespeople.— It was felt that some such system of vocational training should be established in New Zealand. A remit from the Auckland Association was formally moved, and after a brief discussion it was decided that Mr J Stewart Milne, of Milne and Choyce (Limited), Auckland, be empowered to engage a competent instructor during a forthcoming trip Home. Much enthusiasm for the project was shown, the delegates from various associations readily promised the financial support needed for one year, with the option of extending the term to ' two years if desired. It was expressed as a considered opinion that the employees of the drapery trade throughout the Do minion would be benefited by this course of instruction, and that they would thereby receive knowleddge which would make them more efficient citizens, quite apart from their additional earning power, after receiving the specialised instruction. PAPER ON COST SYSTAM. A able paper was read by Mr Charles Lee, of the D.1.C., Dunedin, on “Cost Systems, Credits, Discounts, Etc.” Mr Lee dealt with many business subjects in a lucid manner, and earned hearty applause, and, by direction of the President, the paper is to be published in full in the federation’s paper, the New Zealand Draper. VOTES OF THANKS. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the Dunedin Association for its hospitality and its conduct of the conference; to the Exhibition authorities, for their reception of the ladies and their further invitation to the delegates for Friday afternoon; and to the retiring officers, and to Mr P. L. Halsted, newly-elected president, for the very able and expeditious way in which he performed the duties of chairman. FURTHER ENTERTAINMENT. A pleasant function took place at Jay’s Rooms, the visiting delegates and friends being the guests of the Dunedin Association. Mr James Dick, president of the local association, presided, with Mr P. L. Halsted, president, and Mr Percy J. H. White (New Plymouth), retiring president, on his right and left. A vote of thanks to the chairman and to the Dunedin Association brought the conference to a close.