SUBSCRIPTION PEST.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17366, 30 March 1928, Page 9

SUBSCRIPTION PEST.

BURDEN ON BUSINESSMEN

DICCUSSED BY RETAILERS.

NO ACTION TAKEN. The blooding of businessmen for subscriptions and donations to picnics ;in ,l o |hor objects was a. subject raised a| a mooting of the Retailers' Association last night. line member said Ihe question was an important one which, he thought, could very "well be handled by the association through a special fund. This would be far hotter than leaving il open for individual shopkeepers to subscribe or not. Requests for donalions were on Ihe increase and were becoming a growing burden on business men, especially those in the mam street.

Another speaker said it was very diffieult for shopkeepers 1o refuse Ihe numerous requests of this kind. His firm received on an average about 30 requests a month for trophies or cash donations and the demand was becoming too burdensome. It was staled that the nuisance was effectively dealt with in certain other towns, and it was thought that if a special fund were maintained by the Retailers' Association to meet these demands businessmen would be relieved of the pest, while the matter of giving a subscription would be left to the discretion of the secretary or a small committee.

Another speaker said that in one town where he resided formerly the Retailers' Association had printed cards granting permission to collectors to canvass members. When a collector called on a tradesman he was fold to first get the permission of the association before his or her request for a donation could be considered. This effectively put a check on canvassing for unworthy objects. No action was taken in the matter.