SHOPKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 833, 3 June 1910, Page 9

SHOPKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Shopkeepers' Association was held yesterday afternoon, the president, Mr. 11. H. Seaton, being in tho chair. The president's annual report stated that a considerable amount of work had been dono during the year. Amongst thfi matters which had engaged attention were:—Sheet widening, the matter of giving credit, the proposal for a statutory Saturday half-holiday, the Garrison Barracks' grocery store, municipal ; trading, Wednesday as the statutory halfholiday, unfair trading, and tramway shelter-sheds at stopping places. The president wished to impress upon members that considerable time had been devoted during the year to the Executive Committee. All might carry their thought's back to tho year 1904, when every shopkeeper in the Wellington provincial district felt greatly concerned over the Shops and Offices Bill, and tho obnoxious Clause 3 of the. Shops and Offices Act, the repeal of which clause was largely due to the association's efforts. It would always bo necessary to watch proposed legislation very closely, and that duty'might safely be left in the hands of the secretary. Many subscriptions wero outstanding, and it was desirable that these should be forwarded, to the secretary. There was practically every trade represented on the books of the association. Though tho numerical strength of the association was satisfactory, still it should be increased, and the president asked that members should use their individual efforts to secure new members. The vexed question of holidays cropped up every year with persistent regularity, and the "annual trouble" was before them now, in regard to .the King's Birthday. Legislation would, in all probability, be introduced this coming session of Parliament to deal with the holiday question, in order that uniformity' might be secured. The report was unanimously adopted. The retiring president declined to receive nomination for another term, and on the motion of Mr. Seaton, seconded by Mr. J. T. Millington, Mr. T. Qnereo was elected president. Messrs. Millington and S. G. Ross were appointed vicepresidents, and the following were elected as tho executive:—Messrs. D. S. Patrick, J. Armit'. C. G. Sherwood, IT. Wardell, C. A. Innis, H. If. Seaton, Nash, J. F. luich, A. E. Mann. P. Hoi ton, L. M'lfenzie, and A. W. Moraii.