EMPLOYERS MEET

Southland Times, Issue 21771, 28 July 1932, Page 6

EMPLOYERS MEET

SOUTHLAND ASSOCIATION.

REPORT ON ACTIVITIES.

The annual meeting of the Southland Employers’ Association held in the Federal Tea Rooms last evening was presided over by Mr A. le Hoyles, there being a good attendance of members. In moving the adoption of the annual report Mr Hoyles referred to the activities of the association and of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation during the year. The report was as follows: “No one can be blind to the tact that the general economic situation today is less satisfactory than it was twelve months ago. Many of our members, and others for that matter, are carrying on under adverse trading conditions. This is a particularly good reason why employers of labour to-day should give serious consideration to the desirability oi supporting us both financially and in spirit. “Touching briefly on world conditions of trade, New Zealand is peculiarly dependent upon her foreign trade, more so perhaps than any other country. The effect of this has been felt in the reduced national income. The world-wide fall in prices of primary products has therefore been severely felt. The purchasing power of the farmers is therefore less than jv per cent, of what it was in 1914 as regards either farm requirements or general commodities. This is the crux of the whole economic situation in New Zealand, that one half of the community is unable to buy the goods ana services produced by the other half. The consequent loss of national income has dried up all sources of State and local body revenue. This has necessitated sweeping economies in expenditure. The employment of labour has therefore been substantially curtailed. What we now want is a larger measure of cheerful and determined optimism with the common object of . restoring a proper bolance of trade with as little delay as possible. “The Retail Association section was organized by the executive on August 6 last and has held three meetings since that date. It is representative of all the trades whose members are members of this association. This association is indebted to the excellent service rendered by the president, the Advisory Committee, and to the secretary of the New Zealand Employers’ Association (Mr T. O. Bishop) and his staff for the very close and careful attention they have given to the affairs of the federation. “The following members of the executive retire: Messrs Hyndman, Boyes, E. Broad, Hislop, W. Millar, A. H. Brown, A. V. Poole, G. Stevens, A. McDonald, H. J. Farrant, J. A. Doig, A. Wilson and R. M. Strang. The ex officio members are: Messrs W. Grieve, A. J. Ball, S. M. Louden, R. H. A. Woodham, A. McPherson and J. L. Hannon. Their successors will be appointed by the respective associations with which they are connected.” The report was adopted. The following office-bearers were elected: President, Mr A. le H. Hoyles (re-elected); vice-president, Mr J. McCrostie (re-elected); executive committee, Messrs M. N. Hyndman, W. H. Boyes, J. A. Doig, A. E. Broad, J. Hislop, W. W. Millar, A. H. Brown, A. V. Poole, G. T. Stevens, R. M. Strang, A. C. Wilson, A. McDonald, M. J. Kilkclly, A. Noble, A. E. Bath, C. A. Lockhart and J. H. Tattersfield (representing the City Council); auditor, Mr F. A. Webb (re-elected). An address was delivered by Mr T. O. Bishop, secretary of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, on pre-sent-day economic and industrial matters, and he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller).