EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1916, Page 4

EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. " The.annual meeting of the New Plymouth Employers' Association was held last evening, Mr. W. F. Brooking, president, being in the cliair. Fifteen members were present. The minutes of the previous! meeting were read and confirmed. PRESIDENT'S REPORT. The president, in his report, referred to several industrial disputes that had occurred during the year, namely, those with general laborers, drivers, and grocers' assistants. The report continued: "The night watchman is still rendering good service, but there are many tradesmen who Should, but do not, avail themselves of his services, and when you consider the small payment required for the undoubted service rendered one cannot but be surprised at the numbers who seem to attach very little importance to the safety of their premises. Summary of his report: Doors and windows left open and unlocked 133, lights left burning 51, men found on premises 46, goods left outside shops IS, Ares discovered 3, theft (conviction seemed) 1. ' "Three fires of a serious nature have occurred during -the past year—Nippert Brothers' shop, Theatre Royal block, and the High School, and some alarm has been occasioned among property owners and business people at these. Your executive has interviewed the local inspector of police, asking for more police protection, and we trust wo shall obtain this.

"We were successful during the year in extending our usefulness by establishing branches in Stratford and Hawera, and these, we believe, are or a good footing and will strengthen the Association in the provincial district generally, by giving all a feeling :f larger usefulness, and joining the tradespeople of the province in one strong society, when matters affecting the general good can be dealt with by one strong association. These branches have become affiliated on the basis of 50 per cent, of their subscriptions, and you will be asked to pass an amendment of our rules to provide for such procedure. "For some years past our rules have needed and with the advent of the branches aforesaid the matter has become imperative. A committee was appointed to deal with this matter. A credit protection scheme was undertaken by the association some time ago, but owing entirely to lack of interest it 'has practically become a dead letter. Under the present conditions, where credit is so restricted for the business people, such a system should bo'invaluable. With regard to general matters affecting us as tradespeople and employers of labor, there has been much during the year to cause anxiety. It was understood at the commencement of the war that the Arbitration' Court would not, during its continuance, consider an\ applications for increase of wages, but other counsels seem to have prevailed, and during the past year several applications have been made by labor unions for increases, owing to the increased cost of living." The statement of receipts and expenditure for the year showed a credit balance of £S 18s 3d, receipts being £321 19s, and expenditure £313 0s Od. Assets were shown as £129 _3f Od and liabilities £l4 4s Od. The chairman formally moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. This was seconded by Mr. W. C. Weston, who paid tribute to the good work done by the president, and the motion was, unanimously carried. On the motion of Messrs H. Goodacrc and Firth it was decided to invest £SO in war loan bonds. The president, in accordance with notice, moved various amendments to the rule's of the Association, and Mr. White seconded. This most important of the amendments was one relating to membership fees, and, after considerable discussion, it was decided that the subscription for members of the Association employing 1 to B hands be His «d, employers of 5 to 20 hands £1 Is, employers of over 20 bauds £2 2s. The other amendments to the rules were carried en bloc. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. President, Mr. W. F. Brooking (reelected): vice-president, Mr. W. C. Weston (re-elected); executive, Messrs W. ]> Nicoll J. C. Morev, T. Young, Baker, J Hayden, H. Goodaere, P. White, Wells, Lealßiul, Carter, Okey, F. S. Johns,; trustee, Mr. Baker; honorarv auditor, Mr. O. X. Firth, 1