MOTOR TRADERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1926, Page 7

MOTOR TRADERS.

SUPPER, SPEECH AND SONG, SOCIAL AT NEW PLYMOUTH. A very pleasant social evening to wind up their activities at the Taranaki Metropolitan Agricultural Society’s Winter Show was held in the Kawaroa Park bungalow at the end of last week by the members of the North Taranaki Motor Traders’ Association. Mr. J. 11. Ashton presided, and the hours passed quickly with addresses on various aspects of motor traders’ activities interpersed with elocutionary items and songs by Messis. W. G. Holder, J. Joll and V. Simpson, and community singing led by Mr. Holder. Included amongst the visitoils present were the Deputy-Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths), the general secretary of the Motor Traders’ Association (Mr. J. F. Cousins), Mr. J. R. Perry (a former president) and members of the South Taranaki Association. The loyal toast having been honoured, the ehairman briefly referred to the motor exhibition held at the show. It had, he said, turned out quite creditably. It was really the first attempt the association had made on its own. After last show it was quite obvious that better arrangements for this year were necessary. However, though they could not get all the space that was wanted they succeeded in securing the whole of the Coronation Hall, which was handed over at a price. From their own point of view the exhibition had been fairly successful and was certainly an added attraction to the show. Every section of the community was interested in motor transportation, and even people who could not afford a car were interested in the possibility of securing one at some time or other. He hoped jhat at next year’s show additional space w’ould be available. In proposing the toast of the Borough Council, Mr. P. E. Stainton said that the council was one of the few that had not regarded motor traders as parasites on the community and had come forward and met them in conference in regard to' the kerbside bowser, whicn had aroused such a controversy in other places. The toast was acknowledged by Mr. Griffiths. ART UNION SUGGESTED. In replying to the toast of the Press, which wlas in the hands of Mr. H. Faulkes, Mr. W. C. Weston said that ho understood that the necessary guarantee had. been completed to enable the agricultural society to take part in a joint art union which, it was hoped, would provide funds for an extension to the buildings before next show. Speaking as president of the Automobile Association, he felt that the borough council had not been too helpful in a number of matters that the Automobile Association had brougM forward, though in Mr. Day they all realised they had n helpful officer who had done a great deal in the improvement of traffic regulation, “The Agricultural Society” was proposed by the chairman and responded to by Mr. W. P. Gkey, the secretary of the society. , Replying to the toast of the NewZealand Motor Traders’ Association (Mr. G. M. Spence), Mr. Cousins congratulated the North Taranaki Association on staging such a fine exhibit, and on carrying through with their show without calling upon the Dominion organisation for help. Referring to conditions in Australia, he stated that one really needed to get out of the country to realise just how far Organisation had been carried in New Zealand. He had his eyes opened in New South Wales and Victoria, where conditions of trade were entirely different to those in New Zealand. Garage proprietors in Australia were on a very different footing to their New Zealand brothers. In Australia trade was concentrated in the hands of comparatively few men. SUCCESSFUL CO-OPERATION. When they were told in Australia that motorists’ organisations took quite an active part in the framing of legislation, they asked how it was possible and how was representation secured on such a body as the Highways Board. The reply was that it was the result of organisation, which was in advance of anything in Australia and which would advance considerably further and further if the individuals in the trade continued to pull together with no suspicion amongst themselves. Then they would set themselves to deal with bigger problems of motor transport, In which there were so many things to be done. No individual body could do it, but with the co-operation of all much could be achieved. There was an example in motor ’bus competition with trams and railways. The Government had brought in regulations which many believed would stifle the growth of the omnibus. No Government was strong enough and no legislation would stand if it was directed