SOUTHLAND EMPLOYERS

Southland Times, Issue 21093, 27 May 1930, Page 8

SOUTHLAND EMPLOYERS

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. The 26th ■ annual meeting of the Southland Employers’ Association was held last evening, Mr. A. le H. Hoyles presiding over a very fair attendance of members. The annual report (inter alia) was as follows-: —“Your Executive committee desires to thank members for their continued and consistent financial support. Prospects in the near future are not particularly bright. Rigid economy in private and public expenditure will have to be observed for some time. The past year has marked a great freedom from industrial disturbances than has been enjoyed for many years. Workers generally and particularly those employed in sheltered industries are showing a greater tendency towards settling disputes in a more conciliatory manner. Due to various causes export prices of our primary products have this year been very much deflated and consequently the puchasing power of our people has been reduced to that extent, the effect being felt more perhaps in luxury rather than staple lines. The advice of our late, Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, 'must be rammed home on the people of New Zealand with continuous sledge-hammer force, “Buy New Zealand Made Goods.” When we see Government Departments and bodies of primary producers going outside for requirements which can be supplied from our Dominion’s own natural resources, surely the time has come for secondary industry to make its voice heard. An audited statement of accounts shows a credit balance of £Bl 10/6. As compared with last year, subscriptions received in cash have increased by £59 3/9. Various office furniture has been purchased at a total cost of £l2 12/6. During the month of November, Mr. T. O. Bishop, secretary of the federation, and Mr. D. S. Patrick, vice-president of the Draper’s Federation, paid a visit to Invercargill. A most successful and one of the best attended meetings in the history of our association took place at which both gentlemen addressed the meeting. Our' Representative on the Arbitration Court (Mr. L. J. Schmitt) who has been appointed New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Australia, relinquished his post on March 31, 1930. We join with other associations in wishing Mr. Schmitt every success in his new sphere. Mr. W. C. Prime, secretary of the Canterbury Employers’ Association, has been chosen to fill the vacancy. The president, in moving the adoption of the annual report, referred to the satisfactory state of the finances. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. McCrostie and carried. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: President, Mr. A. le H. Hoyles (reelected) : vice-presendt Mr. John McCrostie; executive members, Messrs M. N. Hyndman, W. Wilson, E. G. Broad, A. H. L. Brown, G. T. Stevens, J. Hislop, W. Grieve, A. V. Poole, W. W. Millar, A. T. Hind and A. McDonald. Mr. F. A. Webb was re-elected as auditor.