MOTOR TRADERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22031, 2 August 1941, Page 6

MOTOR TRADERS

A Difficult Year

Good Work Carried Out

In spite of a difficult year the report presented to the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Retail Motor Trade Association on Thursday showed that good work had been achieved. Mr D. J. Mcßeath occupied the chair. ‘"Hie year has been a difficult one for everyone connected with the motor trade,” said the annual report. “Import restrictions, petrol restrictions, etc., have had a depresstag effect on business but we are still carrying on, and the executive feel that with the amalgamation, which will give greater strength as a whole, and still further improvement in the friendly relations between members of our own branch we will continue to carry on. The motor trade here as elsewhere has made valuable contributions to the war effort. Many trained mechanics have gone to all branches of the Forces, and members have subscribed liberally to different appeals. During the year all sections of the retail motor trade in New Zealand amalgamated into one association and your association in line with other Associations throughout the Dominion became a branch of the New Zealand Retail Motor Trade Association (Incorporated).

Closing Hour Regulations “Closing hour regulations came into force during the year in both Timaru and Waimate as a result of requisitions by petrol resellers in those towns. An application for regulated closing hours was also made by petrol resellers within a radius of 15 miles of the Geraldine Post Office, and it is anticipated that regulations will be gazetted for this district in the very near future. It is felt by your executive that considerable benefits have been derived and economics effected as a result of these closing horn - regulations. Your executive has bad a busy year, many meetings having been held Including meetings at Fairiie. Waimate, and Geraldine in connection with the closing hours and it is felt that the Association has done good work for its members ta the matters that have come before it during the year?’ ’ ' In moving the adoption of the annual , report and balance-sheet, the chairman said that the Association could congratulate Itself on the position disclosed. The executive had done a lot of work, especially ta regard to the closing hour regulations, and the trade would benefit as a result. It was decided to write - to the inspector asking him what steps were being taken to prevent after-hour trading ta the Timani district. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows:—President: Mr D. J. Mcßeath; vice-president: Mr C. N. Hamilton; executive: Messrs G. Bull, H. Mercer, W. Field, E. Butler, E. Fairmaid, H. Morrison, M. Gibson, T. Knowles and B. Watson; councillor to New Zealand Retail Motor Trade Association, Wellington: Mr G, Bull; secretary: Mr A. A. Solomon.