FEDERATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1710, 29 March 1913, Page 8

FEDERATION.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS. AUSTRALIAN DELEGATES IN TOWN, The Wellington Commercial Travellers' Association had the honour of entertaining yesterday a party of Australian delegates to the annual coitiereuco of the United Commercial Travellers' Association of Australasia, winch this year, lias been nolcl in jJuneuin.. The delegates,Hhc majority of wiioni lelt lor Sydney by the iUoeraiu last evening, are as loltow:— Messrs. T. Street, llurnos, and T. U'aliauiigliuassy (Aew Smith Wales), W.' Jirown, \v". W. Stuart, and S. Smith (Victoria), li. JJerry and "iV neaii (South Australia;, G. L. Lutein and C. Young (Western Australia), Meiklejohn (Queensland), A. Jt. Utarke (Sydney Secietary), .James lhivies (genera'l secretary), and A. W. .lack (general Ueasurer). The delegates were entertained at luncheon by me" Wellington Association at the Commercial Travellers' Chili, Mr. AV. G, JJuthit (president), presiding. After luncheon, air. Dutliie extended a most hearty welcome to the visitors on behalf of the Wellington Association, and expressed his regret that they were leaving that day for Australia. The Wellington Commercial Travellers' Club and Association could not allow them to depart without expressing its pleasure at meeting them.

Mr. l'helps, on behalf of United Commercial Travellers' and ■Warehousemen's Association of New Zealand, returned thanks for the courteous manner in which the Australasian body had received him as a delegate (by courtesy). He had been given the opportunity of hearing and seeing how the Australasian Association's business was being conducted, not only from a club point of view, but also.in respect to the management of their trust funds, mortuary benefits, etc. He thanked them'for the valuable assistance they had given the New Zealand United Association in endeavouring to bring about a federation of the Now Zealand Associations, which question they now hoped was practically settled. They were 110 doubt aware that the New Zealand Association was about to declare., the first dividend froth the mortuary fund, and the information vouchsafed by the Australasian tleiegates had been most valuable. It was gratifying to know that tlii-y had fellow travellers in Ghristchurch actively engaged iri forming mi association in that city, and that there was every prospect of the same becoming- an accomplished fact in the near future. (Applause.) Mr. W. Brown (president of the Victorian Association) referred in hearty term's to the hospitality which'had'-been extended to them in New Zealand, and the ?-'ae brotherly spirit wliipli, existed among commercial travellers in this country. H« trusted that the time would soon come when the Australian Association's' modest lead would lie followed in New Zealand, and that '. their . affairs would flourish as the.y had done in Australia,. Ho assured New Zealand travellers of his association's help in every possible way when help was required. As Australians, they felt that New Zealand commercial travellers were indeed their brothers. (Applause.) Mr.' T. Street (president of,the N.S.W. Association) spoke of the kindness shown to them in New Zealand, which Sir. Berry (of South Australia) fittingly endorsed, Mr. G. L. Luk.iu (W.A.j referred glowingly to the national generosity of New Zealawlers, which they had experienced from the BIuJT northwards. They had seen for themselves something of the vastness of New' Zealand's resources, and had marked the grit and energy of the people, and were greatly impressed with it all. It was delightful to find people who were endeavouring 1 to progress as tliey wero in Australia. He strongly urged the formation of a New Zealand Commercial 1 Travellers' Federation. '

Mr. Meiklejohn (Queensland) l\oped tliat wlien. they next visited New Zealand the federation would be an accomplished fact.' Mr. Jas. liavies (general secretary) looked, forward confidently to the consuin- 1 mation of a federation scheme .ill NewZealand. Mr. A. W. .Tack spoke of the advantages of federation. He, too, dwelt upon the kindness and hospitality which' they had met with during their stay in the Dominion. ■ The United Association of New Zealand at present consists of the Wellington and Auckland Associations. Cliristchurch has 110 association at present, and the- Dunedin Association, has been affiliated to the Australasian body. As the result of tlio recent conference, it is practically certain that Dunedin will now throw in its lot with the United Association of New Zealand, and that, with the new association being formed at Christchurch,-will mean a federation.

At the conclusion of tho luncheon a groap photograph was taken of all present, and at 1 p.m. the visitors were entertained at afternoon tea at the Kelburne Kiosk.