EFFORT HINDERED

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21082, 8 April 1940, Page 8

EFFORT HINDERED

DOMINIONS AND WAR INDUSTRIAL DIFFICULTIES BUSINESSMEN UNCERTAIN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday Addressing delegates to the annual conference of the United Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association of New Zealand today, the president, Mr W. Hustler Smith, commented on the present state of affairs in New Zealand and overseas, and said that industrial problems were preventing Australia and New Zealand from giving one hundred per cent assistance to the war effort. He appealed to members to keep the assevation going, so that they could help those who were in difficulties as the result of import restrictions and other conditions. The Mayor, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, declared the conference open, and said he hoped that as a result of the conference the association would be able to lay the foundation of still further and that in days to come members would be fully employed in bringing goods to the people of New Zealand. “Whether you will be able to do that or not I am bothered if I know,” he said. “No doubt we will eventually return to sanity, but whether or not it be in our time we cannot say.” Mr Smith said the membership of the association during 1939 remained steady. That indicated that members had been able to build up reserves during the good years. Over £26,000 had been provided by the accident insurance fund, including twelve major claims of £SOO to dependents of those who had died. The annual report showed the membership as follows:—Auckland 1003, Wellington 1110, Canterbury 542, Otago 404; total, 3059.