A GROWING TRADE

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18231, 15 November 1924, Page 15

A GROWING TRADE

PROGRESS OF ELECTRICITY

ADVERTISING ...CAMPAIGN SUGGESTED.

Addressing.the annual meeting of the' Electrical Traders' Federation of New Zealand,'held in Wellington this week, the president (Mr J. M.' Fleming'* made some interesting references to the growth i of electricity in Now Zealand during the past few years. He also suggested "close co-operation between various traders in order that good might:result to the Dominion as a whole. . "Although electricity has been in use. in th'is-Dominion for over thirty years,'' * said 'Mr Fleming, «' the business of supplying 'electrical machinery N and' appliances developed very slowly ! for tho: greater portion of that tyne. During .the,last ten years, however,, tho I public demand for electricity-has boon stimulated- to 'a vigorous. growth", . and attracted by this demand' now firm have - come.into .'the field and business has shbwnia corresponding development. Electrical bußines«»'may now be' likened to a boy, whoso growth during infancy was slow* and idovelopment xotoruod, bat who .has now won through hla infantile complaints and shows promise of lusty youth and; powerful manhoodV provided that wise,counsel guide* hla oareaf durInfj tho. next/few yoars,', iTouth is ,tt period of- many difficulties and dangers, and just as Wo carefully select sound instructors-and capable advisers for our sons, seeking only : those' who nro propared, to.give faithful and unaelflfh servico' so that tho-mental arid physical doyelopmont-of the, boys is fostered and stimulated to produce men of character and ability,'.to,, carry On the traditions of our raco and fulfil tho duties, . of good citizenship, so'is it nocossarythat wo-'set ourselves an'ideal of public servico as .electrical traders and, build 'Up our business on- 'ethical' principles in such.ajway as best to satisfy'.tho wants of- tho* peoplo. of- New Zealand, and thereby -bring: honour and .profit to ourselves.,, Stimulating Electrical, Development. _''. Our ' associations . arid our federation'must' ddopt 'this:ideal, and must; play the "wise teacher. and guidoto>the rapidly-growing electrical business, .stimulating its deveippmeut, .protecting;it,.from dangers and leading it to prosperity. Tho. essential thing is • .loyal' aiid,. unselfish,•■ cO-opcra-'tionvof.»aH';'o.ur .members. - If members [ "look for. immediat'o personal gain from their>, membership 'without ;servico' f rom 'themselves"they "will,-, be ; ' disappointed; but., if"; members join; oas -.with ' .tho honest f'desiro ; to • g'evo; their ; best' to the Work of • furth.erligi the development of -our-industry >as.*a whole,- we.shall make our ■orgariisa'tron'n real?benefit ; to tho ---whole-* cpmmunttyy-andi-incidentally ~ personal benefit' will "Uccruo". to us aIL :This-cbneeptiOTi-of*thp7n3turo-and''func-itions ■■ of '-> bur- organisation - is /not * ori'ginal, but-has -boon-recognised as the !basis . of organisations which ihavo been 5 succcsst'UlJy'established .in I other countries. In' out our 'hcljjful guidance in ! other England",*America, and ! Australia iallhavo' parsed -through our ' present stage, of- development, and "have attained .results; :wfijch-we , also can i attain/ v Perhaps, wo :*may oj-qn -manago ' to iayoyi sorno of the pitfalls'into which their feetlhavo strayed.' ■-•'-\ • i ■■••Kesults; to Aim I At < •'"' ■ '■'■ "vWlva't.i are : the ibig results- "to ajm to.secure them, are' tho':, two, boforo. us.. Per- . haps.l'.niay*brrcfiy,"''s,uggest; the answers wliicli! appear' now to bo correct," but it jsrobVioui? riut thfffto can bo /no'final answcrS,\ -. bqcau'so ',' circumstances are continually, arising-.which'rcfluire.to be met ,in::;fiew /l 'w.ays..; Our primary .object '. a feeling of'confideneo. and trust in each .other inii he ■■ mindirroFall bur membirs. To ,this" c'nu.', should •b*o?-i.ilct^l'or./firir 'discussion of problems which --may.^arisor?frbm /tiEfo -to time.The reading of payors bn-Biibjects of mutual iatcrest wili v heip,aud' younger 3 members.-willVby'.'tHis 'means' gain '■from the ■ thosfa* who-J.ro voider. -Xext,~we- sUduldiaini*at >alproper»rela-

tiocahip brtrreeis ths whelssals <"*«* «i» contractors' sections, ia vi«we£ their mutual iatsrdepecdesc?, "sksaM present no difficulty vhidt c&ss&Z b* overcome by frank discusaiiss,, aai a. little mutual trust and assistance. TVs contractor d»akr is an essential T*»v in' tha distribution of - cle«trka! »*• tcrial.'and should be recognised as SS&i by tho wholesale sectiera. It is esaaastial to our. well-being that w»>hks» co-operation between the trada aai «*» rower Boards rather than the Merit. of antagonism and compeiiiisa Wfiiefe in some cases is evident to-day. «*$ perhaps this presents oar meat diSealt problem. In tbis endeavour a awwssS public opinion must be created fey advcativo propaganda; an eftert antst t* made to secure suitabls iegislatkea ia the interests of the public and ©f ea?selves, and above alt its eosssensit?' must be served by ail of u» in "sack a way as to leave no want tisjepjSLecL Valuo of Slacirfci£y. "In reference to the last-two ssattcrs mentioned, tiat is, co-operatic S*tween wholesalers and contracts**, as& between traders and Power Bcaieb. I venture to put forward a 6fcggea*»B that we should endeavour to arrssgs* a joint advertising campaign briagtagta* value of electricity promiaeatry befra* the people. The Power Boards «xbi. to sell current, the wholesalers eadst to sell supplies, and the contractors t» perform work. Anything *rhfc& beeefSs one of these sections benefits taesot aB, and - therefore it is only eommoaaeas* that they should get together.aai.a*» vertise jointly for their common goedL**