DIFFICULT YEAR

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20950, 1 November 1939, Page 9

DIFFICULT YEAR

HAMILTON RETAILERS ASSOCIATION’S MEETING DISCOUNTS ELIMINATED “The past year has been full of difficulties for retailers and the indications are that there will be no abatement of these conditions for some time,” stated Mr B. E. Woodhams, president of the Hamilton Retailers’ Association, in his report presented to the annual meeting last night. “The outbreak of war has introduced many unsettling factors and the effect of import restrictions is now being felt severely by many of our members. “The further reductions and total prohibitions of imports which were recently announced will further curtail a large amount of retail trade,” added Mr Woodhams. “It seems evident from only a brief study of present-day business conditions that it is more than ever necessary for retailers as a whole to organise themselves so that their vital interests may be fully protected.” “It is worthy of note that, as a result of the association’s efforts, discounts of all kinds were eliminated by a very large majority of the soft goods trade in Hamilton during April of this year,” added the president. Wider Scope of Activities The association had been functioning for a year. Originally formed as a drapers’, clothiers’ and boot retailers’ association, the organisation was changed to include all retailers with the result that the membership was now 70, of which number 24 were drapers, clothiers, and boot retailers.

The following officers were elected for the year:—President, Mr B. E. Woodhams; vice-president, Mr H. D. Caro; committee, Messrs N. H. Hooker, G. E. Burt, S. F. Vale, J. R. Henderson, A. J. Yendell, and Mesdames A. Howden and F. Torpy. Prior to the meeting the members were entertained to dinner as the guests of Messrs H. and J. Court, Limited. Messrs J. W. Court, F. A. Smith, and H. G. Thomson represented the Auckland Drapers’, Clothiers’ and Boot Retailers’ Association.