COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS

Evening Star, Issue 22449, 21 September 1936, Page 11

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS

ASSOCIATION DAY TWENTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY In the absence of the president (Mr A. W. Clapp), the vice-president, Mr D. Y. M. Millar, wat in the chair to a large attendance of members and visitors on the occasion of the twenty-third anniversary of the Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association Day on Saturday evening. After tlie Royal toast had been honoured, the Chairman extended a hearty welcome to. the visitors,’ among whom were the mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox), Mr J. S. Skinner (vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce), Mr C. D. M'Kenzie (representing the Minister of Railways), Commander Fraser (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve), and Mr N. R. MMsaac (chief postmaster)._ The celebrating of Association Day by the travellers’ associations ’throughout New Zealand had been carried out in many different ways, he stated. After the wonderful success of their function last year the committee of the Otago Association had decided that it would be failing in its_ duty to the members if the celebrations were not carried out on similar lines this year, and they had met that night to mark another milestone in the history of their united association. Their choice of speaker for the evening had fallen on Mr A. C. Hanlon. K.C., who was known to them not only as a prominent citizen, but also as one of the few life members of their club, this distinction having been conferred on him three years ago in recognition of his 30 years of service as a member of the association. Mr A. C. Hanlon, K.C., proposed the principal toast .of the evening, .“.The Day We Celebrate,” . and returned thanks for the welcome on behalf, of the visitors.- The instructions he had received concerning the topic of his address had not been exactly specific, he said, except that he was expected to say something about the association, and, to assist him, he had been given two bound volumes of ‘ The Traveller ’ for perusal. A study of those volumes had disclosed that similar functions'in various parts of New Zealand had at times been honoured by addresses from Ministers of the Crown, mayors of cities, and on© or two Governors-General, and the subjects had been appropriately weighty but he assured his hearers that he had no intention of embarking on any dissertation on questions of national importance that evening. (Laughter and applause.) He stated that he was unable to understand why, any person who was eligible for membership of the association should neglect to take advantage of the unquestionable benefits accruing from joining. He proceeded to outline the facilities which would be afforded a member—use of beautifullyequipped club rooms and the exceedingly helpful magazine, ‘ N.Z. Traveller,’ were among those he mentioned. Ho also enumerated the business benefits—reduction in freights and railway tariffs, and a free storage period in all centres—and the community services of the association In co-operation with other local bodies, and sometimes on their own, initiative, the Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association gave the poor and needy a trip or a picnic each year; the blind sailors and soldiers were assisted by a fund which 1 now totalled £2,200; and provision was made for the welfare of orphans. The public, he stated, had no conception of the amount of money, clothes, and goods for relief purposes distributed each year by the association. In concluding his address, Mr Hanlon expressed his personal pride that the efforts in so worthy, a cause had had such excellent support. The company was then entertained by many amusing .legal reminiscences by Mr Hanlon. The reply was given by Mr F.' W. Mitchell, a past president of the association, who outlined its growth and advancement from inception. Conditions were extremely trying in the early stages, he said, with poor roads and* horse transport for travellers’ wares. The association vvas formed to alleviate, these disadvantages, by obtaining concessions from the - railways, among other things. Demonstrating that union was strength, the association made no headway until the establishment of an Australasian united agency, to which the authorities gave support. Cense-, quently insurance schemes were inaugurated, and proved a remarkable success, because of the reduced rates. From its affiliation to the union the Otago branch derived substantial benefits. In 1912 Mr Mitchell accompanied Mr Dugald MTlierson to a conference in Laivceston ; the latter was elected president. Two. years later another conference was held, this time in Dunedin. It was decided that a New Zealand union should be formed, and the results of this action were seen in the very satisfactory state of affairs in existence to-day as regards C.T. and W.A. activities. Other toasts during the evening were “ Our Visitors,” proposed by Mr W. N., M‘Lcan, and replied to by the Mayor, Messrs APKenzie, Skinner, MMsaac, and Commander Fraser; ‘‘Veterans of tho Road,” proposed by Mr R. S. Glendining, with Messrs J. T. Gillan and C. H. Morrell associated in the reply; and “ Musical Friends and the Press,” Mr Alex. Cooke.

Vocal items were provided during the evening by Messrs L. Riley, A. N. Watson. C. C. Scott, S. G. Angel I, and S. W. Tavlor.