DRAPERS' ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 287, 28 August 1920, Page 9

DRAPERS' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. V The report 'presented at the annual meeting of the Wellington Drapers, Mercers, and Clothierß' Association recorded a year full ol activities, with n, number of important matters calling for prompt attention. Ohief among these, stated the report, had been tho menace to legitimate trading brought about by tho passing t of the Board of Trade Act during last Parliament. Various traders had been prosecuted under the Act for obtaining unreasonable profits, and fines had teen inflicted by Magistrates, but their dccißionß had been at suoh variance with one another that Dominion traders were utterly confused aB to the correct interpretation of the Aot, and had recently combined tor the purpose of securing the best legal advice and of malting the strongest possible representations to Government, urging first the repeal of the provisions of the Act relating to profiteering, or failing that, for amendment of the Act in the direction of clearly defining what ghall bo considered unreasonable profit, and bow that shall bo ascertained by the Magistrate. A Dominion committee, representing trades interested, had been established in Wellington, and would energetically preas for revision of the Act. The report referred to the Dominion Conference of Associations, and the rppointinent of Mr. H. Houth as Dominion organiser. It was hoped that his work would result in the better combination of the trade, and in the building up of a strong federation to stand for the defence and protection of the rights of the trade. In regard to the proposals before Parliament for a reduction of the working hours, including closing at 5.30 p.m'. and 12 noon on Saturdays, and the elimination of tho late night, the report stated thnt nil necessary cteps wero beinj: taken to place before Parliament the views of the trade. The following officers were 'elected:— President. Mr. W. Simm; vice-presidents, Messrs. D. 6. Patrick. J. Leuchers; committee, Messrs. Cody. Evans, Pownes, Halpin, 0. Smith, J. Miller, and Page.