EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1929, Page 3

EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION

TARANAKI BRANCH ACTIVITY

ANNUAL MEETING AND REUNION

SUBSCRIPTION AS AN INSURANCE

The annual meeting of the Taranaki Employers’ Ass.ociation was held in New Plymouth last night. Mr. J. W. Darby presided over an attendance of 20, including Mr. T. O. Bishop, secretary of the Dominion Federation, Mr. W. Cecil Prime, secretary of the Canterbury association, and Councillor F. Amoore, representing the Mayor.

The chairman welcomed Messrs. Bishop and Prime. He felt sure the address from Mr. Bishop would be of great benefit not only to the employers of Taranaki but to those throughout New Zealand. The report said that although the income for the year was about £36 less than for the previous year, the net surplus was only about £l3 less, owing "to a saving in* expenditure. The amount on fixed deposit was increased from £96 7s to £l2O, and the accumulated funds now stood at £164 17s 6d. The outstanding subscriptions at June 30 amounted to £75 Is 6d, but the executive considered that a reserve for possible losses should be created and, accordingly, an amount of £3O was set aside to meet this contingency. An appeal was made to those whose subscriptions were in arrcar to bring these up to date, because it was obvious that the association must be able to rely on a regular income if it was to carry out its work satisfactorily.

After thoroughly purging the register of the names of firms who had given up business, or who were more than two years in arrear with their inscriptions, the membership at the close of the financial year was 93, a decrease of 10. This falling off was regrettable, indicating that some employers whose interests the association looked after contributed nothing towards its funds. It was suggested that a thorough canvass for new members be made during the coming year. The Taranaki Chamber of Commerce had assumed control of the nightwatchman’s account, the transfer having been effected at December 31, 1928. IN TOUCH WITH LEGISLATION. The executive desired once again to record the excellent service by the federation secretary (Mr. T. O. Bishop), who had kept the association well posted with regard to legislation or proposed legislation likely to effect the interests of its members. They might rest assured that those interests continued to be carefully safeguarded. A well attended meeting of retailers was held in October to consider what steps if any should be taken to combat fhe activities of cash order trading companies. Certain unanimous decisions were arrived at, and these, it was believed, would make it difficult for this class of business to get a footing in Taranaki. The- secretary had called several meetings of various trade sections, but they were poorly attended, although the matters to be discussed were of considerable importance to the branches of industry affected. The holiday committee continued to function satisfactorily, and the executive believed that its various decisions regarding the closing of shops on special occasions had met with the general approval of retailers. In moving the adoption of the report the chairman said that though the financial position was not robust it was satisfactory. It was regrettable that some members had dropped out. Unfortunately, however, industrial peace was not conducive to good membership. He pointed out that employers should regard their subscriptions as they would insurance premiums. He urged that the subscribers were fully repaid through the careful watching of their interests by the association. It was in this direction that they had to thank Mr. Bishop for the manner in which he kept them posted on industrial legislation. They knew that., so surely as they allowed their fire insurance policies to lapse, so surely would they have a fire. If they - allowed their interest in the association. to lapse .they . would be caught napping. The workers,. on . their part, were very well organised, but although the employers had their capital involved in industry they did not take the same interest in organising their affairs. During the last two or three years the work of the association had fallen on a few willing men and he considered it most unfair that the burden should be left to these men through other employers dropping out of the association. MUNICIPAL TRADING. During the year the executive of the association had been very milch exercised in mind regarding municipal trading. It was subjudice now, but it was to be a subject for discussion between a delegation from the Chamber of Commerce, the association and the Borough Council. A hardy annual was the question of military pay. The association had not got satisfaction, but the i matter must be kept in view.

Referring to the executive, the chairman said the scheme of having the different trade sections represented on- that body had worked as well as was anticipated, and the various sections had been kept in touch with affairs throughout New Zealand by

means of fortnightly circulars from Mr. Bishop. He also paid a tribute to the holiday committee for its work. Mr. A. F. Sandford seconded and the report and balance-sheet were adopted.

The executive was- elected as follow:— Messrs. H. J. Abram (retailers), L. Little (hardware), F. Hartnell (builders), W. D. Graham (licensed victuallers), O. W. Sole (butchers), C. O. Berg (tobacconists), J. W. Darby- (painters and paperhangers), F. S. Johns (general wholesale merchants), W. Healj r (storemen and packers employers), J. Warnock (quarrymen), G. S. Millar (engineers), W. C. Weston (printers), ■F. May (tearooms and restaurants), A. K. Smart (plumbers and electricians), J. H. H. Holm (shipping), k,. Gilbert (timber merchants), W. F. Short (monumental masons), J. Bennett (watchmakers), Walter Syme (Hawera employers), and B. Harkness (Stratford employers). Mr. E. P. Webster was re-appointed auditor. •

Messrs. C. O. Berg and R. Glengarry were elected members.

SMOKE CONCERT HELD.

Following the meeting a smoke concert was held, the following toasts being honoured: The Borough Council (Mr. A. F. Sandford—Cr. F. Amoore), the Harbour Board (Mr. W. C. Weston—Mr. J. H. H. Holm), the Visitors (Mr. Walter Syme— Mr. H. Smith, Wellington), Federation of Employers (Mr. L. A. Nolan—Mr. T. O. Bishop, The Press (Mr. V. Duff —Mr. W. C. Weston), and the Taranaki Employers’ Association (Mr. Prime —Mr. J. W. Darby).

During the evening songs were given by Messrs. F. Baird and Clelland. Mr. F. R. P. Fredric was the accompanist.