ENTHUSIASM IN BUSINESS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1934, Page 10

ENTHUSIASM IN BUSINESS

PAPER AT GROCERS’ GATHERING. HOW TO MEET COMPETITION. Addresses and the consideration of remits occupied the attention of the master grocers’ conference at Hawera yesterday. Mr. J. S. Chapman was elected president for 1935. A paper on enthusiasm was forwarded by Mr. H. B. Bills, Dunedin. Their real manager was the public—what had it to say? he asked. How could they do more for their “boss,” their customer? If the staffs were untrained and they worked with out of date equipment they could not achieve the required results. When power machmery cam e to a—were so obsessed by its productions that they seldom gave a thought to the human element. They thought that henceforth machines would have all the skill, workers needing little or none. That was a tragic mistake and to-day they had to start learning something of human values. In every business it was the human value that was defective. When a firm broke down it was because the people in it broke down, lost their enthusiasm. If the employer was untrained he let his staff down; if the staff was untrained it let the employer down. Business was co-operative. Mr. W. Cook (Wellington) addressed the conference ,on methods of meeting competition from the big concerns with many branches. He said the individual grocer was not in an inferior position as in personal cqntact and supervision he had* strong points in his favour. His main trouble was an inferiority complex. The big firms largely owed their success to good advertising. To meet this competition Mr. Cook advocated that the various owner-operators should follow a uniform colour scheme and paint the insj de of their shops white. They should concentrate on quick service, which would include having goods ready weighed. Money spent on advertising was essential. It was necessary to buy right, and here co-operation, such as joining a powerful buying group, was needed. In Wellington their group, which handled buying and advertising, had 74 members. TRAINING OF ASSISTANTS. The training of assistants was briefly discussed. Mr. Barker gave details of the technical school classes in Australia and suggested that the Otago association might take- up the question with the Goveriiment with a.view to having a similar, scheme instituted in New Zealand. Members considered, however, that the best training for assistants in salesmanship was in grocery shops themselves. A South Taranaki remit that opportunity be given for the consideration of the merits of the California Fair Trade Bill with a view to having representations made to Parliament to have some such similar measure placed upon the New Zealand Statute Book was referred to the executive.

Mr, Cook said he understood the Act prevented price-cutting. He knew the chemists were supporting the introduction of the legislation into New Zealand. A speaker said the Act made it compulsory for a firm to sell its goods at the same price in all branches. Mr. Barker said the hew N.R.A. code for grocers in the United States practically covered what the association wanted. / '

The executive was instructed to’ secure full information on the subject and place the matter prominently'before the Government. An Auckland remit, “That the conference respectfully draws. the attention of the Government to the inference of Mr. Justice Frazer in recent Arbitration Court procedings that it is on occasions n:cessary to make provision to work employees, on Sundays for the purpose of stocktaking,” was carried. Delegates were of opinion that in the grocery trade it was not necessary to take stock on Sundays and it was mentioned that several chain organisations did not do so. The following remits were also carried: “That in congratulating the Govern- ( ment on removing from the schedule of the Commercial Trusts Act, 1918, tobacco and .cigarettes, the conference would again urge as of even greater importance and necessity the removal therefrom of any article of food for human consumption,, and ingredients used in the manufacture of any such article.” (Auckland). “That the Government be urged to revise the charge at present made for the testing of scales and weights. The charge of 10s for travelling time is considered to be unreasonable, and greatly in excess of the time required in connection with the service.” (Wanganui). SOUTH TARANAKI JENNIS. INTER-CLUB COMPETITIONS. South Taranaki inter-club tennis competitions will recommence on Saturday, February 17, the draw being as follows: Hawera v. Eltham at Hawera; Park a bye. The fixtures' for the senior B grade have been completed; Patea gaining two points and Stratford 4. The draw for the second round is:— February 17: Manaia v. Stratford, at Stratford; Patea a bye. February 24: Patea v. Stratford, at Patea; Manaia a bye. March 3: Manaia v. Patea, at Manaia, Stratford a bye. HAWERA OPERA HOUSE. “YES MR. BROWN” TO-MORROW. It is as director and star that Jack Buchanan is presented in “Yes, Mr. Brown,” the delightful comedy, with music, that is to be shown at the Hawera Opera House to-morrow. The combination is excellent. Jack Buchanan is the screen’s most debonair comedian putting over superb comedy dancing. The story is amusing, and concerns the efforts of Mr. Baumanp, manager of a toy shop in Vienna (Jack Buchanan) to entertain his American chief, Mr. Brown, who is visiting the branch. Baumann hopes to bring off a partnership, so to that end every member of his staff, and even his wife, are instructed to do their, bit in making Mr. Brown’s visit a pleasurable one. Complications follow, particularly when his wife walks out on the little, dinner party arranged for Brown, who is coming to meet her. In desperation, Baumann introduces his secretary (played with a delightful sense of humour by Elsie Randolph) as his wife, and Brown falls in love with her.