MR E, W, RELPH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12784, 30 October 1919, Page 3

MR E, W, RELPH.

A HEARTY WELCOME HOME. ITi© Board of Directors of the I'armers’ Co-operative Association, together with the managers and executive officers of the head office and branches, gave a welcome home dinner on Tuesday night to the manager of the association (Mr E. AV. Relph). who has just returned to Christchurcn after an extended trip abroad. The tables were laid in the big tea-room at the Cashel Street premises, and the chairman of directors (Mr -I. A. Pannett) presided over an attendance of about fifty. At the conclusion of dinner, Air A. S, Clarkson assumed the office of toastmaster, at the chairman’s request, and the toasts of the King and .members who had “gone west” were followed by the toast of The Farmers’ Co-oper-ative Association, proposed by Mr D. M’Donald,. who referred to the rapid growth of the organisation, and the influence it had brought in the whole community from an economic standpoint in regard to prices and rates of commission. He said that the success attending the efforts of the association had been-due mainly to loyal and enthusiastic directors, supported by a capable manager—the guest of ' the evening. The toast wag heartily drunk and was responded to by Mr Pannett. The toast of “The Guest” was entrusted by the chairman of directors in a few complimentary words to Mr T. •T. Hunter, manager of the Ashburton branch. Mr Hunter welcomed Mr Relph home in a happy speech, and the toast was enthusiastically drunk. Mr Relph, who was very heartily applauded, gave a very engrossing account of his journey through the Old Land, Canada and America, and referred particularly to the growth of the co-opera,tive movement and the surprising knowledge and interest shown abroad in the expansion of co-operation in New Zealand, which was regarded l as the home of the movement in the matter of farming. Mr Pslph dealt instructively with the business aspects of his travels, and also, in connection with the work of the London office, with the question of extending the federation of Australia, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, and the Mother Country, for mutual problems. This work, he said, was in hand, and should prove of great benefit to the overseas dominions. Tho greatest problem was that of shipping, ami whilst the combines recently formed were endeavouring to show that the combinations were designed, not to raise freights, but rather to reduce overhead expenses, one could not lose sight of the fact that freights bad increased tremendously, and it devolved on the Legislature to consider seriously the question of establishing proper transportation lie tween the. dominions and the Homeland. Australia, according to the remarks of Mr Hughes, was anxious to join with New Zealand and South Africa in any project that would protect the interests of tho producers, and there was no doubt this was the greatest factor and should arrest the attention of those responsible for the main conduct of »,ho business of the countries throughout the Empire. (Applause.) The toast of "The Directors” van proposed by Air F. Kibblewbite, who referred to the solid support that the association always had from members of the board. They never interfered with the administration, but were always alive to the interests of the association, and gave valuable advice and au invariable hint when business was likely to accrue m the ’districts they represented The toast was responded to by Air James Stevenson. The toast of the acting-manager (Mr A. AV. Jamieson) was proposed by Air G. J. Leech, manager of the Rangiora branch, who referred to the successful administration of the acting-manager during the absence of Air Jlelpli, as was evidenced in the returns at the last annual meeting. “The Staff” was proposedhy Air U W. Lochhoad, who referred in flattering terms to theMoval and .enthusiastic co-operative spirit thaL<pcrmcated the association. This, h<T said, was due-in no small measure to the worthy chief whom they were welcoming-home. The results attained bv the association iu the last year had been due, in the first place to the administrative ability rf the manager, hut success was only assured by the trim eo-onerntive spirit among the staff. Although the association had a large staff, there were, no petty jealousies, and the general harmony helped to produce.the successful balance-sheet submitted af the annual meeting, , . toast was responded to by Air H. A r eitch, who had been thirty-two years in the association’s service. Alessrs F. Alorrison, T. J. Hunter and & H. Price gave mugical items between the speeches, and a vote of thanks to the toastmaster brought to a close one of the most enthusiastic and pleasant evenings in the records of the association.