SUBSCRIPTION PEST.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5259, 2 April 1928, Page 2

SUBSCRIPTION PEST.

BURDEN ON BUSINESSMEN.

DISCUSSION BY RETAILERS

The bleeding of businessmen for subscriptions and donations to picnics and other objects was a subject raised at a meeting of the Hamilton Retailers’ Association last week. One member said the question was an important one which, lie thought, could very well be 'handled by the as|sociation through a special fund. This would be far better than leaving it open for individual shopkeepers to subscribe on not. Requests for donations were on tlie increase and were becoming a growing burden on business men, especially those in the main street.

Another speaker said it was vc.ty difficult for shopkeepers to refuse the numerous requests of this kind. His firm received on an average about 30 requests, a month for trophies or cash donations, and the dcjtnand was becoming too burdensome.

It was stated that the nuisance was effectively dealt with in certain other towns, and it was thought that if a special fund was maintained by the Retailers’ Association to meet theise demands businessmen, would be relieved of the pest, while the matter of giving a subscription would be left to the discretion of the secretary or a small committee.

Another speaker .said that in one town wliere he formerly resided) the Retailers’ Association had printed cards granting permission to collectors to canvass membe>fis. When a collector called on a tradesman he was told to firtet get the permission of the association before his or her request for a donation could be considered. This effectively put a check on. canvassing for unworthy objects. No action was taken, in the matter.