ASSOCIATION DAY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 301, 14 September 1920, Page 5

ASSOCIATION DAY

' . o : ' ... i COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS IN ' FESTIVE MOOD

GATHERING AT FARMERS' INSTITUTE

Goodfeliowship was tho keynote of a gathering held by tho Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association last night, in the Farmers'" Institute, on the occasion of. tho anniversary smoke concert. Mr. M. Carr presided. The proceedings were most enjoyable,' and all present _ entered fully into the fun of tho evening. The gathering was in honour of "Association Day," the festival of Wellington commercial men. A large photograph of the Prince of Wales, patron of the Australasian Association, occupied a place of honour.

In opening the proceedings, Mr. Carr welcomed the visitors, and gave the toast "The Day Wo Celebrate." Ho considered that the association stood unique ill the history of Australasia. It was presided over by tho Prince of Wales, and that in itself wns an incentive for all its members to "plaj' tho game." ■■ Obtaining the Prince of Wales's consent for his appoinment as patron of the association in Australia he considered was a grent thing. .

The company assembled sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" in honour of the Prince.

The inaugftration of the travellers' new scheme—the sick and accident insurance fund—was referred to 'by Mr. Carr. Previously, great advantage had been received from various companies, but now rates had been raised) and it was considered that tho time bad come when members should place themselves in a better position. In order to ensure tho success of tho scheme, 500 proposers were required. Ho urged that all should give their support to tho scheme. The chairman, after the toast had been honoured, read fraternal greetings for the Canterbury and Auckland associations.

Mr. C. Bushbrook proposed the toast of "The Man on the Eoad, J ' and compared the traveller of many years ago with the traveller of to-day, considering that the latter had progressed greatly, and was now a man anyone would bo proud to meet. Always, the commercial traveller was "out to do the best for his firm," and to prove his worth to those who believed in him.

In response, Mr. T. James said that tho commercial traveller of to-day was enjoying a great reputation. Tho "man oil the road" was doing all that he could {?r the betterment of liis profession. The association was tangiblo; it meant something; and every man concerned should bo a member of It He urged old commercial travellers to give the younger man uu occasional helping hand. "Tho older men can always guide the younger from the pitfalls on the road," ho added.

Mr. H. Letham replied in luimorous vein, and (old of many amusing experiences that he had had while "hitting the trail." He looked back with pleasure to the "bard old days" on the west Coast, when tlio boys were "bar-)wuiid," (Laughter. H<» told of one occasion, at Greymouth when forty-two travellers were held up oil account of shipping trouble. Not one tried to "beat" the others for any business, but always showed a fraternal spirit during the enforced Several other toasts were honoured,, and'musical items wcro given bv the male choir, the melody four, and Messrs. Norman Aitfeen, Newton, and Blandford.