THE GROCERS AND SHOPKEEPERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6829, 17 April 1890, Page 4

THE GROCERS AND SHOPKEEPERS.

• THE CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION. The first annual meeting was held at the rooms of the Association, 220, Cashel street, yesterday afternoon. Mr J. H. Silchrist, President, was •in the chair, and there was a large attendance of members. The following report was read by the Chairman : — " Your Committee, in submitting its first annual . report, feels satisfied that the results which have, co far, been attained through the instrumentality of the Association, have materially benefited those engaged in the grocery and storekeeping business, and havo placed the trade on a sounder and more prosperous condition than has existed for years past. ■ The first thing to which the Committee directed its effort was to endeavour to do away with the absurd and suicidal policy of cutting prices belovr a remunerative figure, which so often resulted in bankruptcy. This question was a most difficult one to deal with, but after giving considerable thought and time to the consideration of the matter, it was decided that the first step to be taken was to do away with the practice of advertising and ticketing prices, which was so detrimental to all fair traders who wished to conduct their businesses on remunerative prices and sound principles. Your Committee, therefore approached the merchants with a view to obtaining their co-operation, the result being, as members are aware, that an agreement was entered into between the wholesale merchants and the greater number of grocers and storekeepers in the Canterbury district, by which all ticketing and advertising prices of groceries and dairy produce was pro- ! bibited. Some little difficulty was exj perienced in a few instances, but ;by both parties standing firm to . the agreement and bringing pressure I to bear where needed, the result sought for has been obtained, and such a thing as a price ticket on any article of grocery is now never seen. Your Committee think that the benefits have now become so evident that few, if any, desire to return to the old state of things. Another advantage to the trade which has resulted from the formation of this Association is the j issuing of a weekly list of prices to be given for dairy produce. Your Committee meets weekly, and after due consideration ; of the various interests involved, fixes the ' highest price to be given for eggs, butter, and cheese, and a circular is posted the same evening to each member of the Association. Whilst on this subject, it is advisable to mention that these prices are the highest price 3to be given, any member being at liberty to give as much less a3 he considers fair, according to quality. This weekly circular is a boon, not only to the grocer but also to the farmer, as, instead of havi'ig to run from door to door aud find out where he can sell to tho best advantage he now finds that the price is uniform throughout; and, so j far, your Committee has not heard any dis- ■? satisfaction expressed at the decisions arrived at, which proves that they have been fairiy considered in the interests'; iof seller as well as buyer. A very important outcome of the Association hiw been the formatiou, by a tew of its members, of the Grocers' Co-operative Purchasing Company, -Limited, and it is hoped that mc-mbeis will muke themselves better acquainted with the working of this . Company ; and is will then be found that .' considerable advantages may be obtained by purchasing from it, as all goods are • bought on the very beat terms and sold to • members of the Association only at a very ' small advance to cover expenses. Many ; lises can be bought at a great saving. If ; members would oftener take advantage of J this method of buying, it would consider--1 ably strengthen the Company by enabling ! if; to buy more largely, and consequently 1 even greater savings in cost might be effected. (In no case are pur- ! chases made outside of the Christchurch • merchants unless an advantage is shown.) Ninety-six members have joined the Assoi ciationsince its formation; nine have, either ■ through leaving the district or having gone ' out of business, retired from the Association, I leaving eighty-seven members still on the ■ books. A statement of receipts and expen- ! diture will be laid before you, by which you i will notice that the finances are hardiyin : as flourishing a condition as the number of i subscribing members would lead you to i expect. It is to be regretted that there ' are some who while receiving their weekly circulars do -not see tho necessity of i making their quarterly payments of j subscriptions as promptly as could jbo desired, consequently the efforts of your Committee have of necessity been much curtailed and many matters havo had to be loft in abeyance for want of funds, and the strictest economy has had Ito be practised. Your Committee desires to draw the attention of members to the room in which the meetings of the i Association are held, and which your Committee would gladly see utilised more generally by members, either to write I letters, make engagements with friends or any other purpose. The telephone is also connected with tho premises, 'and i 3 open for the use of members. In conclusion yoi^r Committee trusts thafa the second year of the existence of the Association may be attended with as satisfactory results as can be shown at the end of thiß its first year." The Chairman moved, and Me J. H. Hopkins seconded — "That the report and balance-sheet as read be adopted," which was carried unanimously. Mr J. Mannings moved, and Mr E. Godfrey seconded, a cordial vote of thanks to the officers and Committee for their valuable services during the year. The following were appointed the officers and Committee for the ensuiug year : — Mr J..H. GHichrist (President), Mr T. Taylor (Vice- President), Messrs T. Kineaid, J. H. Hopkins, W.. Thomson,.. -H. H. Raddou, J. Forbes, T. M'Doweli, W. Eraser, J. Laurenson, J. Munnings, and G. A. Lindemann members of Cpmmittee. The question of early closing was freely discussed in all its bearings. Eveutally,