SMILES AND CHARITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 12, 5 April 1927, Page 13

SMILES AND CHARITY

TRAVELLERS’ ATTRIBUTES ASSOCIATION’S CONFERENCE The Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, had a special word of praise for the charitable efforts of the travellers at the opening 1 of the Commercial Travellers’ Association’s Conference yesterday. “You have "brought cheer into the homes of the poor and the afflicted,'’ he declared, “and I am proud to be associated with you as a club member.” The Wellington ,president, Mr. E. T. James, expressed the feelings of the commercial men in respect to the mayor, when he declared: “Xot only are you worthy of being a member of our association, but you are worthy of being a commercial traveller!” (Laughter.) Greetings were received and exchanged with the kindred Australian association. To the association’s patron, Mr. Coates, Prime Minister, the conference dispatched the following message:

“While regretting your inability to be present with us to-day we tender you our whole-hearted congratulations upon the success of your work at the Empire Conference, fully realising the many difficulties you had to face. We also desire to express our feelings of pleasure upon the safe return of yourself and Mrs. Coates.” Conference sat throughout the day. To-night members will be the guests of the Auckland body at a convivial gathering. DISPEL THAT PESSIMISM! A spirit of optimism characterised the president’s address. “I ask members to do their bit in reviving the spirit of hopefulness in this country,” declared Mr. Thompson. ‘‘There is no real reason why our period of depression should last as long or be as severe as that in other lands. Indeed, there is every reason why it should pass quickly. “If a traveller was told that trade was bad he was not to £eply: “Yes and likely to be worse ’ He was to inform the pessimist of what actual evidence he had of improvement to trade. ‘‘We owe it as a duty to ourselves and to our country to dispel this spirit of pessimism which is so largely responsible for the present depression in trade. There is no need for gloomy forebodings. The future of New Zealand is not black but bright.” Delegates were delighted with the year’s progress, said the Dominion Treasurer, Mr. H. H. Wauchop, of Christchurch, regarding his b’alance sheet: “As good a year as we have ever had!” Mr. J. T. Gillan, of Otago, Mr. James, Wellington, Mr. W. A. Prentis, Auckland, and Mr. S. Jacobs, Canterbury, all recounted the advancement of their respective districts. Cahill, J. Woodall and I. Brown (AuckOther delegates present were: J. land), L. Easterbrook, E. Lyttle, R. E. Selby (Wellington), A. Smellie, D. Gain (Otago), and G. Christie and E. Wade (Canterbury). (Proceeding.)