Traders' Association.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 167, 19 July 1904, Page 2

Traders' Association.

Thoi'o was a fair attendance at the mooting of the Xew Plymouth Traders' Association lust night, Mr Goodacre (president) in the chair.

Others present were Messrs Arnold, Green, Snowball, linker, DockriU, Heidi, J. T. White, R. Deuro, Lightband, L. G. I>. Spencer, A. A. Pikj «tt-, J. Will taker, J. H. I'arker, ■ Dayne, White, Xeul and Russell (secretary).

The meeting was addressed by Mr Field, organising secretary of iho New Zealand Employers' Federation. First the speaker made clear the fact that the Employers' Association was not attached to any political parties. The associations were not averse to the union and organisation of trades workers, but were of a mi ml to keep these unions in such check as would conduce to the best relations between employer and employee. Tho employers hail at, last been aroused to the fact that when the workers organisul and combined it was incumbent upon the employers to do likewise in order to protect their own interests. The days of individual settlement of lalboiir disputes had now become a thing of the past. There were now employers' associations in the four chief centres, whose members included employers of every kind, mmnullaeturers, merchants, retailers', and carriers, etc. It was now difficult in these centres for mm carrying on businesses of any si/e who were not members of the associations. The formation of the associations was due to the constitution of the Aiib'itralion Court, tlm employers 'being compelled to unite m presenting "their views of the action of tho labour laws. Their sphere of operations, however, extended further than this, and it appeared that the New Plymouth Traders' and Employers' "Commercial' Protection Association had been working on similar lines, taking interest in local and colonial matters. There had, some two years ago, sprung into existence the New ZoaEmployers' Federation, whereby tho united action all over the colony the employers could assist one another in all matters affecting all or a portion of them. The federation had seen tho necessity for visiting every Part of tho colony to form associations which would become members of the federation. This l would have the effect of bringing into lino the efforts of employers in all parts of tho colony, and instead of each district acting on its own lines' there would be colonial concerted action. Then, too, the federation endeavoured to work with and assist the various colonial conferences, such as the Fanners' Union Conference, and those of the builders, bakers, etc. Legislation, crude, hasty and ill-digested had for some time been placid on tho statute-ibooks in the interest of only one section of the community, but now the federation had a Parliamentarv Vigilance Committee of some of Wellington's best business men, who secured advanco copies of all Mils fought before the House to deal with tho traders and employers of the colony ; instead of, as in the past, learning of tho labour legislation only when it byicaino law. Besides the committee's consideration, however, the affiliated associations had copies of tho bills sent to them for thou] recommendations. The federation Had '''lraisod Cain"' last session when the chairman of tho Labour Hills Committee had reported on certain measures without giving the federation a chance to bo heard, in spite of a promise mladie to do so. ' But in tho end tho federation had ibeen heard on tho matter, and the right had thus lx>en established of the employers to voice their opinions on legislative matters pertaining to their interests. He detailed the action of tho federation and other associations in having passed ■the new measure in debt recovery by law. It had boon ruled by Sir Robert Stout that before a debtor could be compelled to pay a , debt it must bo proved that the doctor had tho money in his pocket at the time of trial. In fact the creditor had to prove the debtor could pay ) now on the debtor was cast the onus of proof that he could not pay. The New Plymouth Tradesmen's Association had'contributed its mite towards the change, but tho bill would not yet have become law but for the efforts of the Employers' Federation Conference. Ho asked that tho New Plymouth association would seo its way to join the Employers' Federation, and concluded by thanking the meeting for the patient hearing) accorded him,. Mr Parker asked how the matter of federation would affect the association financially. Mr Field said that the local associations had complete control of their own affairs, tho associations contributing anything from 15 to 20 per cent, of the total income as a subscription towards the federation. Most associations contributed 20 per cent.

In answer to llr Whitaker, Mr Field said tkat the federation would, in Arbitration Court disputes, send a delegate to assist ; and also givo full advice. A groat benefit had been conferred on several districts by Iris personal assistance in the courts.

In answer to Mr Parker Mr Field said that in Parliamentary matters the various associations after supplying any information in their power -had to trust to the central executive.

In answer to the chairman, Mr Field said he 'believed tho Shops and Oilices Hill would go through this session, as it practically embodied the provisions of four existing Acts of Parliament and most of its provisions were already law. It was a consolidating measure, practically in the same form as it left the Labour Bills Committee after frilquent lengthy sittings of last session. It was hoped, however, to Interview the Premier, and' place the opinions ol the employers of the colony ibcforo him, with a view to securing certain amendments. If this were impossible tho meirlbers of the Houso would lie given the information. Mr Field was ol opinion that tho Saturday half-holiday would become law, with the provision for a referendum on the basis of a threefifths majority. In answer to Mr Whitaker, Mr Field stated that the members of the Wellington executive always remembered that they were the representatives of the employers of Uio colony, not of Wellington. Mr Nenl sugyji-stod a cito on the Saturday half-holiday. It was absurd that small country shops should 'bo closed on Saturday, when the mails arrived. Mr Field Enid tho executive was in favour of the colonial plcC.iseite. Mi' Neal proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Field for his address. Those present knew more now than they had previously done, and Mr Field haid shown the employers how to protect their rights, whilst allowing that labour must be paid its right price. He asked whether the very small towns, with only a. few employers, could join the federation. Mr l'iketl seconded. He represented, ho thought., tile president of 'the Master lluilders' Association, the largest employers of labour in the town. He sugges'led that the New Plymouth association should form the. parent society for the union of all employers' and liadcsmen's associations around the mountain.

Mr llocki'ill also spoke, mentioning the value of tho federation and its vigilant'-.' commit toe in the passing of labour legislation which shall act fairly on employers and employees. He objected, -however, to the statement that individuality was passing away. When that ceased to exist, so would fat'o away the groat Uritish nation.

Mr Baker thought that the first thing to do was to consider the formation of a -branch of tho federation. The Chairman also thanked the speaker, and the vol: was carried by acclamation.

Mr Field, in reply, sa«l he looked with fear upon the project of forming small, puny, and ill-fed associations in small towns where there was little prospect of their continued

healthy existence. He would rather see this association take in members from outi: do towns. For his own part, he as not visiting the smaller towns. I 3 thought the secretary's office *'-: .Id bo a depot where informal. : could be obtained by employers, ilr, Field then showed how the clau.-.;3 o( the Arbitration Act could be mado to harass any employer of labour. 11 was decided to call the executive committee together for this afternoon at four o'clock to go into the matter of forming a branch of the federation..