Tradesmen and Employers Association.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7924, 13 September 1905, Page 2

Tradesmen and Employers Association.

The annual meeting of the above Association was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. The President (Mr Hal Goodacre) presided over a fair attendance. —Annual Report— The annual report of the committee set out :—"The Executive wish to emphasise the importance of tho Association to the tradespeople and employers of labour, and ask for (heir cordial support, not only, in matters of membership, but also in the active work of the Society. During the year ten Executive and five general meetings have been held, at which important matters relating to measures affecting labour legislation, etc., have been discussed. The Shops and Offices Act, Patent Medicine Regulation Act, Workers Compensation for Accident, Trades Monopoly, Factory Act Amendment, State Fire Insurance, etc., have been under review and resolutions bearing upon them forwarded to the Government and others interested in the development and progress through the House of Representatives. We are pleased to inform you that our work has not been in vain, as our recommendations, combined] with similar ones from our existing societies have tended to amendments in some of the measures, which have proved beneficial to the community. Notably was this \ the case respecting the Patent Medicines Act, This Association, together with the New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, were among the \first to take action which eventually caused the obnoxious regulations to be cancelled. The progress of the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill has been watched very closely by your Executive,, and a series of recommendations ' were forwarded to the Labour Bills Committee and the member for this district. The progress of the Bill . through the House of Representatives has been protracted, owing to the numerous conflicting opinions respecting the hours of closing, and there seems very little; hope of further) change in the' law being made this session. The speedy delivery of the mails by the establishment of a through connection by steamer at Wellington for both the North and South Island was advocated by this Association, and we have pleasure in reporting that our representations carried weight with the Government.. Strong, representations were a'so made to the Union and Northern S.S, Companies respecting the suspension of the daily steamer service at New Plymouth during the winter months. Although our recommendations had no effect, we are pleased to note that there is every probability) of the diily service being resumed, next month, and hopes arc entertainthat no further interference with this important mail service will be attempted. During the year this Association received a visit from Mr H. Field, organising secretary of the Employers' Federation of New Zealand. As a result of this visit; it was decided to affiliate with the Federation. The changes sought to be introduced into some of our laws, interfering. very materially with the usual cordial relationship existing yetween employers and employees, renders it necessary to be on the alert to all that is passing. Tho balance-sheet to be submitted will show that there is a debit balance on the year's work. An increased, membership would put finances . straight, Claiming as We do, to have ; rendered useful service to the business community of this town, we ask for that supuort which is necessary if this Socieey is Jo continue In its , efforts to safeguard your Interests . and protect your rights."The balance-sheet showed a debitor £l3 2s, against which were the memltahip fees, which were now coming in freely. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of tho report and 'tnlance-sheet pointed out the necessity for combination in order to closely watch legislation. Referring ( 0 the local work of the branch, he suggested that the Association should deal firmly with tlie credit system which was a curse to business. By the appointment of a live secretary and a proper system of organisation, he believed the Association could do a great deal to wipe out the system. Even tradesmen with a small turnover had humlruls of pounds on their books. He considered that il a cus-l turner could not pay in six months he was not worth keeping on the books ; the account should be closed before it went any further. To havea system by which the members were mutually safeguarded from those wanting too much credit would be liio,st beneficial. T)ic details could bo worked out, and if the business men , were prepared to pay a secretary to ; do the necessary work, it would repay them twenty-fold. Mr Baker, in seconding the adoption, said the words of the President regarding the abnormal extent of the credit system would be endorsed by every member. He detailed thei success which attended an association; for the protection of, tradespeople which came under his personal observation. The subscription paid in that Association provided the salary for a secretary and solicitor's fees. He would he pleased to supply the com-\ mi ttee with a book of rules.

Mr Skealcs said that lie was a visitor, and it seemed to him that something should he done in New Plymouth to combat the system. The rcpoic was unanimously adoptMr H. Goodacre, whose work for the past year elicited a warm tribute from members, was unanimously re-elected as President.

[ Mr Baker Was elected Vice-Presi-dent, and Mr Carter treasurer. The following representative committee was elected':—Messrs I-lonnor A Veale, Sykes, Light band, Bayne, Joe u [ \ Arnold, Hurle, Sole, Dockrill A Clifi, Pikctt-.iW. Amjjury audi C. ti. Bcllnngcr. The appointment of secretary and the proposal, regarding the credit system were referred to the commit-

The Chairman stated that the hranchwas supplied with copies of Bills Wore Parliament by the eeneral secretary of tlic New Zealand Association at Wellington Votes of thanks i 0 the President and let'iring members were recorded