COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23916, 18 September 1939, Page 11

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS

ANNIVERSARY DAY CELEBRATIONS RESOLUTION OF LOYALTY PASSED There was a large gathering at the Otago branch of the United Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association’s annual “Anniversary Day ” celebration which was held on Saturday evening. Mr A, G Hewitt presided, and extended greetings to the visitors, among whom was the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen). Resolution of Loyalty The following resolution of loyalty to the Empire was read by Mr J H, F, Hamel:—“The members of the Commercial Travellers’ Association assemble in Dunedin, while deploring the war into which Great Britain has been forced by the aggression of Germany against the smaller nations of Europe, realife that every avenue was explored by the Imperial authorities to secure a peaceful solution, and that they had no other option but that of recourse to war for the discharge of the Empire’s pledges and obligations. As one of the active institutions in Dunedin, we hasten to assure our Government of our loyalty and devotion to our Kin the Royal Family and our Empire, Further we are prepared to render to the utmost in our power any duties and responsibilities that may be reposed in us.” Way of Assistance Speaking as an old traveller, the Mayor (Mr A. H Allen) stressed the need for everyone to do all in, his or her power to aid the nation in its time of need. It was not possible as yet to guess in what way New Zealand

would be called upon to aid the Motherland, but the best way in which New Zealanders could “ do their bit ” was to defend this country and to kee up peak production of raw materials and foodstuffs. There were three outstanding occasions in the past when commercial travellers had had to face a particularly “ hard time first, in the comparatively early days, when new, small companies were finding it difficult to make headway in the face of opposition from the big companies which were already established: secondly, the war time: and, thirdly, the great depression. Now the l were faced with what might well prove to be even harder times and it was “ up to ” travellers to aid their firms and employers over the troubled days ahead. “The Day We Celebrate” The toast of the evening, “The Day We Celebrate,” was proposed by Mr E. R. Grace, who remarked that it was “ the birthday of an institution which grows old but never infirm.” The Commercial Travellers’ Association

was a body which would leave the city considerably poorer if it were to go out of existence. The speaker made brief reference to the _ association’s interests in charitable aid. The toast was coupled with the names of Past-presidents D. Y. M. Miller and F. W. Mitchell. Replying to the toast,_ Mr Mitchell traversed briefly the history of the association’s formation. A body known as the New Zealand Commercial Travellers’ Association was the first step in the formation of a society of travellers. After a time, the New Zealand group was asked to join the United Commercial Travellers of Australasia, which bad a reputation as being one of the finest associations m existence. In 1913 the union with the Australian societies was becoming difficult to maintain, and it was decided then to cut adrift from Australia Consequently, l he present association was formed, following in its policy on the lines of the Australian society. Mr Miller, also replying to the toast stated that since the association’s inception the membership had been almost doubled. He submitted statistics giving an idea of the work done through the Accident Insurance Fund and other benefits. To the Blind Sailors and Soldiers’ Fund, the association’s main charity, £24.230 had been given. Other toasts honoured were: “The Visitors" and “Musical Friends,” the former being proposed by Mr W. H McLean. During the evening selections were presented by the club’s orchestra and by Messrs C. H. Russell (recitations), S. Taylor (songs), Norman brothers (steel guitar duets), and K. Avery (songs).