MOTOR TRADERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 247, 17 September 1929, Page 2

MOTOR TRADERS

activities of association. ADDRESS TO ROTARY CLUB. A brief outline of the activities of the New Zealand Motor Traders Association was given to members ott tie Rotary Club yesterday by Mr F. Cousins (Wellington), secretary of the latter body. . ~ ■, ltotarian L. H. Collinson presided and a hearty welcome was extended to Rotarian H. E. Pacey, who attended his first club meeting since his return from his recent overseas trip. TWELVE YEARS AGO.

Twelve years ago the motor trade had been in very different circumstances from what it was now, stilted the speaker. An organisation naa, however, been founded in Palmerston North for the protection of a . few traders and owed its extension to the long -eight of its organisers, who bad. realised that it would have to be ot Dominion-wide scope to achieve full results. Twelve years ago the speakei had undertaken the work of his piesent position to unify the interests in the North and South Islands. the membership was now 1500, with ovei 30 branches. Trade organisations were looked at askance by some people, but the organisers had realised that, it the association -wae to be respected, service had to be given and this was done. , „ GETTING TOGETHER.

The natural conclusion of the public was that, if the traders got together, there would be a rise in the prices of the commodities sold by those traders, but that view was very frequently wrong. It had been found that the only way to achieve success in the motor business was to get rival traders together, loth in a business and a social capacity, and a code of business ethico firmly established. The association’s work had first been to see that motor business went through motor traders and along the proper channels. One of the greatest difficulties in the trade had been the lack of efficient mechanics, but the trade had prepared a scheme by which training schools were subsidised to train boys as mechanics. This was now being done in 11 centres and 350 boys were being trained as apprentices, lhe association supplied both the instructors and tbe examiners. It was hoped in two years to be spending at the rate of £2OOO per year, with a similar Government -.subsidy, and to have 700 boys in training. SOCIAL SERVICE.

There was also a special fund to relieve the mem tiers of the association in times of distress and a lot was being done in social service. In Wellington, one half-day was given up for the entertainment of the orphans. Cars were provided free and some 500 or 600 children were given an outing. It was hoped that similar outings would become Dominion-wide. The association had made wonderful progress since its inception, and that progress was being fully maintained. On the motion of Mr H. E. Pacey, the speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation.