THE D.I.C.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3931, 6 October 1891, Page 3

THE D.I.C.

On the evening prior to the opening of the new warehouse in Panama and Brandon streets, Wellington, Mr B. Hallenstein, chairman of the directorate of the D.1.C., addressed the staff and employes generally, and his remarks, containing as they did some pertinent allusions to the principles and practice which should govern all business transactions, are Well worthy of reproduction. Mr Hallenstein said:—Ladies and Gentlemen—On the eve of opening this establishment, I desire, as Chairman of the Company, to address a few words to you. In the first instance let me thank you for the push you have made to get ready thus far. With the large shipments only so lately to hand, it is through an extraordinary effort alone that we shall be enabled to open our doors for business to-morrow. To-morrow the work begins. The principles on which this company is formed must lead to success, and if each and everyone of you can only feel and act as if that success depended upon her or him, then it will be a great success indeed. Eow if the") is one thing more than another that to impress upon you it is this—deal fairly with your customers and spare no trouble to study their interests. Believe me, independent of the feeling of doing what is right by studjing the interests of your customers, you study the best interests of the company. Some people are very easy buyers, or perhaps no judges, and I hare seen salesmen chuckle at their smartness in having moved off an article which they know is quite unsuitable to the buyer.. I have spoken to Mr Corrigan, the manager, and also to the shop walker, not to countenance such transactions. There are many beautiful but flimsy articles which a rich lady may buy for the glory of one evening, but it would be wrong to persuade an artisan's wife to buy such, when you know she wants a useful, good wearing material. In many instances yoa are perhaps better judges what the buyer wants than she or he, and in such cases it is easy, respectfully, to give your opinion. Let people feel that they are welcome to'mSpecc the stock, and enquire prices without being obliged to purchase, Spare no pains to show and introduce your goods; remember it mayjjear fruit some ether day. The have to deal with is the largest and the newest in New Zealand, and the heads of departments must be aware that it has been bought in the best markets of the world, and you may be sure that when the quality of our goods and the prices become knowg/we must do a large trade; that has been our experience in Dunedin and Christchurch, and will, I feel sure, be our experience here, and our business is based upon a big turnover. In erecting our premises here we have Lad the experience of our Dunedin and Christchurch places to guide us, and the Wellington one is in many respects more complete. We have been guided by our architect, of whose ability and integrity I cannot speak too highly, and my experience of him is not of to-day. lam safe in saying thatl have put more bricks and mortar together than any other man or firm in New Zealand, and MrHislop has been the architect for many of them. We have also been most fortunate in having for our contractors men like Messrs Carmichael and Son, quiet and unpretending, but for whose good business qualities, displayed from the day the contract was signed, we should not have been ready to open tomorrow. Save minor matters, the contract was finished, and we were enabled to get into the building some three weeks before the time, and I have much pleasure in stating that I have the consent of my co„ directors to give them a substantial bonus as an expression of our satis faction. I must not forget to mention that Messrs Carmichael and Son were ably supported by all their subcontractors. 1 bave also much pleasure in stating that Mr Drummond, the clerk of the works, has proved bfcnself a conscientious and capable while in the employ of the ' company. Coming back to the *" building you will find that my codirector, Mr Hart, and myself have studied both the convenience of our customers and our staff, and I have no hesitation in saying that there is not a similar establishment to compare with it in the Australian colonics. The whole will form a permanent and e,ver*changing exhibition, in which the df&utiful things of all the world are on flew and tor sale, acd I feel confident it will be one of the sights of Wellington and attract to it visitors from the whole of the North Island. In conclusion, I wish to say to yod that as the company prospers lo will the employes prosper, and as the operations of the company spread, so there will be room for good men to' rise to higher positions; therefore let me impress upon you, while biding jour time, you should go on increas your usefulness and knowledge ""There is the prospect for every boy in this establishment to rise to tin top. and I hope it will ever be a recommendation to anyone that be hat spent some years in the service of the company. To the Leads of depart ments 1 would make the request tc take every pains to train the apprentices, so that hereafter tbey may become good and useful men of business, ready to take their position in the battle of life; with credit to themselves and to the establishment in which they have been trained. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I will not detain you much longer, but one more tLing I wish to impress upon you, and this is imperative : «Strict disciplino, punctuality, atd the observance pf our rules must b. Carried out by tvery one in the employ

of the company." I feel sure that roOßt of you will recognise that this is necessary alike for the success of the company, and for your own comfort. Mr Corrigan, the manager, said : Mr Hallenstein —I am sure we all feel pleased with what you have said, and I have much pleasure in assuring you that I have reaton to believe that our s'iafF of hands is one of the beat in the colony. Most of them bave been known to me for some time, and I believe that every one will do his duty, and will work with enthusiasm for the best interest of the shareholders. As an old employe of the company, 1 can assure them that in any Board of Directors presided over by you, they will find a just and considerate employer; in your presence I will not say more. I congratulate you and the directors on the successful operations of the company tLus far.