The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2602, 16 March 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1889.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ot whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

The Civil Service Supply Association, whoso headquarters are in Auckland, started into being about a year ago in a rather unpretentious manner. Its authorised capital is twenty thousand pounds, but the Association commenced business operations with a subscribed capital of only £1,100, In the first part of its career it met with a good deal of discouraging failures, due apparently to the incompetence of its late manager, who, although its actual promoter, did not possess the commercial knowledge absolutely necessary for such a concern. Having dispensed with his services the directors pluckily determined to persevere in the venture, feeling convinced it was founded on true principles and therefore on a solid foundation. They very shortly afterwards made their masterstroke by purchasing; the well-known business of Messrs Earle and Montgomery, and also that of Mr Gavin Wallace, both grocers and general dealers with large and flourishing connections. The result of these transactions will be found stated in the annual report presented to the meeting in February, which tells its own tale The speech made by Gapt. Daldy, the chairman, on that occasion will be found in our columns to-day, and it will be seen that, whereas prior to the taking over of the two establishments mentioned the Association was doing a turn-over of only <£110 per week, had lost at the end of its lirst half year the sum of and was still working at a loss, the operations of the following two months showed an increased turn-over of nearly £1,200 a week, and had enabled the Association to clear oH' the loss referred to. The prospects before the Association arc now very cheering. There is evidence of good management under such practical tradesmen as Messrs Earle and Wallace, together with the Managing Director, Mr Wilding, It is now intended to increase the subscribed capital and extend the field of operations, with the probability also of reducing prices. The public, we think, will not feel much hesitation in investing money in so promising an institution ; for as long as they continue to adhere, as now, to strictly casli principles, both in buying and selling, its success and constant growth cannot be doubted. So far the Association has not received the help of a sixpence from any quarter, and we trust it will never attempt the fatal step of discounting the future so ruinous to many new enterprises which distinguish the outset of their fitful lives by securing bank over-drafts. The co-opera-tive associations in England, which a few years ago began in a very insignificant fashion, now do business to the extent of millions per annum, all by a purely cash trade. The Civil Service Supply Association can make itself of great use to country producers, or, perhaps, we might say that the country producers can utilise the Association, and find in it a channel for reaching town consumers in a direct way, as we pointed out in a recent issue. Between the Association and small settlers, or the farming community generally, there should exist a good understanding and sympathetic accord.