Tradesmen's Association.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 134, 9 June 1904, Page 2

Tradesmen's Association.

ANNUAL MEETING. Tho annual meeting of the New Plymouth Tradesmen's Commercial Protection Association was held at 7 o'clock last night in the Town Hall. There was a good attendance of members, Mr Hal. Goodacre, the president, being in the chair. —President's Report.— The President, Mr 11. Goodacre, furnished the following report on the year's working : "In submitting to you my annual ' report fur the year ending March 31, 190-1, I would point out that the work of the association lias so far as it goes been of considerable benefit to business people generally, many matters of interest to members oi tint association having) been taken in hand, and discussed both by your executive and at general meetings of the association, and resolutions forwarded to the proper quarters, amongst. them being the proposed amendments to the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act, the industrial and Conciliation Arbitration Act, Shops and Oflices Act, Insurance, the tax on tea, pruposed alterations to train and coach services, imprisonment for debt, question of holidays, and muny matters of purely local interest. The chief reason for feeing satisfied with the pust is that it promises well for the future, for it is the commencement of the employers' federation for Taranaki, and there is not one person present who does not realise the absolute ne-

cessity for federated interests. Federation is and must bo the keynote of progress, for in the multitude of councillors tU're ia wisdom ; and having after iiature consideration evolved that which is wise, a federation has the whole weight of united strength to force its views into prominence and gain that consideration which no individual and divided effort can obtain. Employees long since have seen the benefits of united effort to gain individual ends, and the result is that legislation to-day in many instances shows the result oi that effort instanced in many cases by a marked ('.rudeness, a marked want of knowledge of the other side of the question ; and until federation becomes the keynote of employers, so long will this want oi consideration, if not even want oi the hearing of the other side of tluquestion, exist. And for a true and proper balancing of commercial in- ; teres'ts it is necessary that all sides of any point should be thoroughly discussed— better for the employer, better for the employee. Capital and labour aro not antagonistic ; the true Interests of the employer are the true interests of the employee. "Shops and Ollices Bill.— The pro visions in this were strongly, and foi the most part adversely, criticised, imil the resolutions passed at the meeting were forwarded to the Premier uihl the members for the district. This bill did not become law, and we cun undoubtedly state that it was owing to our action and that of similar associations. "Insurance.—A special committee

was net up to look into the matter of Insurance generallyi the Mutual Fire insurance and State Fire Insurance Hills receiving special attention. Both of these measure? are now on our Statute liook. The provisions of the State Fire Insurance Hill provide for the division of half the net prolits us a triennial bonus amongst the insured pro rata to the amount of premiums paid, and this should afford considerable relief to those who insure with the Slate.

"Imprisonment for Debt.-This matter was taken up strongly, and the matter represented In proper quarters. The following resolution was passed : 'That this meeting notes with alarm the present law which makes it easy for dobtors, in a position to pay to avoid payment 01 their dcfijfs, and would strongly urge the Ministor for Justice to nmke such amendments us will provide for the recovery of debts through the S.M. Court.'

"As you know the law was altered last session. and now the onus of proof of inability to pay rests with the debtor ; the creditor no longer has to prove that the debtor is in a position to pay, and I consider this is a great point gained. "Train and (loach Services.—These matters also received our attention, and although much ininrovement is still to be obtained, such as earlier morning trains and the making of l'atea instead of Hawera both the 'beginning and end of the 11 a.m. inward and 4.25 outward service, Homo credit can bo claimed by our association for having obtained better communication than heretofore existed, "In the matter of holidays, your committee has as lar as possible endeavoured to give satisfaction, though in several instances holidays have beon usked for which we did not feel justified in recommending. In connection with this mutter it may ho as well to point out that one of ihe chief expenses in connection with our association is the matter of advertising holidays, and since this is for the benelit of all those in business here, tile association should be supported by all in the mutter of

contributions for this purpose." Speaking on the report, the presi-

dent said that it was often asketl "What gootl would the association do" for members. lie considered that in the mutter of imprisonment foil debt alone the association's efforts in gelling the law amended hud paid members' subscriptions for many years to come. In lighting a-

gainst the lire insurance companies the association had a big task, but union was strength. The Government, had now appointed a manager for the Stale Fire Insurance Department, and by insuring with this insurers would at leust secure some relief from their present burdens. Mr Dockrill seconded the adoption of the report, which was carried. —Balance Sheet.— Tho statement of accounts showed a credit balance of £(> lis Bd, which was considered very salislactory. Tlie balance-sheet was adopted, on tlie motion of Messrs C. Carter and \V. Ambury. ; > —Membership.— On the President's motion all intending members, by handing in their suTiscriptions, wcvu entitled to take part in the proceedings. —Name of Association.— The I'resident, referred to the fact that there might be some misconception as to tlie objects of the association, and moved that the name Ikamended to live "New Plymouth Tradesmen's and Employers' Association." Mr Green seconded pro forma. Mr Whitakor quoted the rules allowing that, fourteen days' notice of the alteration was required. Mr Goodacre said he would give notice accordingly. —Election of Officers.— The. election resulted in the return of the following gentlemen :—President, Mr 11. Goodacre (re-elected); vice-president, Mr ,1. 11. Parker; executive, Messrs ,1. Whitakor, W. Antbury, H. W. Neul, Illicit., Arnold, J W. Boon, Baker, 10. Dockrill, Snowball, llonuor, C. E. llellringer C Carter, .1. West, F. (.!. (irillilhs, 1) loed, and Sole; secretary and treasurer, Mr 11. F. Russell. ANNUAL DINNER. At the conclusion of the ordinary business members ndiourned to the Jubilee Villa, where a pleasant reunion whs held. The host had provided an excellent repast, to wnicb mil justice was done. Mr IL Goodacre, president of the association presided, having on his right his Worship tlie Mayor (Mr R. Cock) and on his left Air K. M. Smith M.11.U. annul, The first toast, the usual loyal tribute to tho King, was drunk with enthusiasm. Mr Carter proposed the tons-1 or "The Commercial Interests of New Plymouth." It Boemod to him the interests of town and Country wcro inseparably united. He quoted fig-

ures showing tho progress of tho district during the past ten years, Imports for Taranaki i» 1893 amounted to £53,000, wliilu in 1902 New Plymouth alone imported £81,500 worth of goods, the total for the whole of Taranaki in that year being £l)B,7oo—a large increase. Then in exports the figures for 1893 were (for New Plymouth and Waitara) £121,400 ; in 1002 the figures were (for New I'lymouth only) £495,000. . Tho dairy industry was largely responsible for this increase. The totals lor the whole district in 1893 wers £146,380, and in 1902 £751,900, an increase of 500 pur cent, No other 'district in the colony could show anything like this rate of progress. Healing with population Mr Carter found the figures for New I'lymouth for 1891 were 3350, and in* 1900 4100. Some persons might stay this increase was not commensurate with the commercial progress of the 01.-.trict. This was largely due to the fact that the population was forced outside the town boundaries, and he hoped the time was not far distant when a "Greater New Plymouth" would be successfully inaugurated. In the matter of building's great progress was also noticeable, 'but figures were only available for the past two years. From these it appeared that in that time 131 new buildings hud been put in hand, of a value of £73,700. This wus distinctly encouraging, in spite of assertions sometimes made that the "building trade was languishing. In eight years the rateable value of the .iorough. had nearly doubled, the figures for 1897-8 being £20,500, and lor 1904-5 £50,400 ; while the capital value showed an increase from £341,100 in 1891 to £906,800 in 1903, Citizens of New Plymouth, Mr Curter argued, had reason to be proud of their town, and if the business people would take the trouble to "talk up" the town instead of "talking it down" a much better time, he felt sure, lay in front of them. As showing the stability of the place, too, he quoted the fact that in five years there had only ■been nineteen. bankruptcies, and of these only nine were business men. He had been spoken to by an English gentleman regarding the many possibilities of New Plymouth, and the want of interest in them displayed by townspeople, who made u great mistake in allowing tho fore shore to go. (referring to the part taken up by the railway reclamation works.) Mr Carter deplored the small interest taken in endeavouring to centralist) trade in New Plymouth by tho establishment of industries, instancing the existence of soap works and a biscuit factory at Wanganui. These would menu the circulation of a considerable sum oi money among the people, 'beside; providing additional avenues of employment. Another point in which New I'lymouth was lacking was in thu matter of public buildings. To remedy these wants strong and united action among the people was necessary. New i'lymouth should 1m made the headquarters of the tourist trallic, and efforts should be made to institute regular excursions to tin Mokau and to Mount Egmont. Mi Carter coupled with the toast tht names of Messrs Newton King ant M. Fraser,

Mr King in responding thought the people of tho district had shown a fairly adventurous suirit, instancing efforts to establish petroleum nnt iron works, a bacon factory, etc lie thought, however, (hat if tin farmers were doing well thou tin townspeople would be corresponding ly benefited. He wished, however, ti make special reference to the harbour, and urged the need for conceited action by town and country ti improve the harbour works. Tin district was suffering a tremendoui loss, und would continue to do s< every day until the hut-hour wa: completed. There must bo an awakening soon, and proposals for thi betterment of the port should eninn ate front tho country, which was thi mainstay of Tarunaki's prosperity. Ho instanced the port of Timaru, at which Home boats could now be worked, thus allowing goods to be imported as cheaply as at Wellington and Auckland. In consequenci a marvellous change had come ovei tho whole of the surrounding district.

Mr Frasor also responded. Other toasts honoured wore "The President," proposed by Mr ft. Cock and replied to by Mr Goodacre •Xindred Societies," proposed by Mr J. Blytho and replied to by Messrs \V. Ambury and A. A. Pikett • "The Executive," proposed by Mr Jay and responded to by Messrs K. Dockrill and J. H. Parker; an d the 1 arliament of New Zealand " proposed by Mr 0. Ahier and replied to by Mr K. M. Smith, M.H.n. Several songs and recitations enli voned the proceedings, which closed at about eleven o'clock.