Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 5

New Zealand Master Printers' Association

page 40

New Zealand Master Printers' Association.

Christchurch, 13 March, 1891.

I Have much pleasure in forwarding a copy of our second annual report. It speaks the true state of affairs, and we earnestly desire a continuance of so satisfactory a position. Our newly-appointed office-bearers for the current year are: President, S. Smith, of the firm of Smith, Anthony, Sellars, & Co.; Vice-President, G. Russell (Russell & Willis); Secretary, T. West, re-elected. The delegates appointed to attend the Federal Council meeting in Dunedin are, our late President, J. C. Wilkin, our new President, S. Smith, and G. Russell. This conference meets during the first week in April. The following is a copy of the Report presented at the Annual Meeting, on the 9th March:—

It is with considerable satisfaction that the officers of the Association now lay before members their second annual report, and give expression to their belief that the printing trade, although still suffering from dull times, has, by the operations of the Association, suffered much less than in former years. In addition to bringing about a healthy state of affairs locally, your Association has been placed in direct communication with all towns and cities between Invercargill in the south and Auckland in the north, and most valuable and friendly relations now exist, mutual assistance having been rendered on several occasions. During the past year your Association has lost the valuable services of one of its active members, Mr. Angus Turner, who left here in June last for the Australian Colonies. Mr. Turner was, on the eve of his departure, presented with a Testimonial from the Association, conveying the unanimous appreciation of his past services, and was also elected an honorary member of your Association. Although we regret the loss of an old member, on the other hand, we have cause to congratulate ourselves on being strengthened during the past year by the addition of four new ones, which means that all the printing offices in Christchurch, as well as the Rangiora office, are now not only members in name, but take an undoubted interest in the practical working of the Association. There have been many additions made to the original tariff during the year; and, with the view of making this tariff as complete as possible, your Secretary has, at the cost of considerable time and labor, furnished the Association with a valuable Tariff of Rates compiled for book and pamphlet work, and which has already proved most acceptable to members. Since our last annual meeting, the question of federating with other associated centres in New Zealand has occupied a large part of the attention of the Association. Special meetings were held from time to time to discuss the subject, resolutions passed in favor—and with the earnest desire that Federation should be effected as speedily as possible, these resolutions were forwarded throughout the Colony. A final meeting dealing with this scheme was held on the 11th February last, Mr Mitchell, President of the Dunedin Master Printers' Association, being present as delegate from the Dunedin Association. The outcome of this meeting was the pleasing announcement that federation between Christchurch and Dunedin is almost an accomplished fact. The first meeting of the proposed Federated Council is summoned to sit in Dunedin in April next. We desire to express our sincere acknowledgments of the many acts of courtesy and assistance received from Associations outside Christchurch, especially from the Dunedin Association, which has ever shown a willingness to fall in wiih any suggestions tending towards the good of the trade generally. The business transacted by the Association during the past year has been very considerable—eight general and twelve special meetings having been held, whilst the correspondence both by post and telegram have been of no light nature. The Balance Sheet accompanying this report shows the funds of the Association to be in a satisfactory condition. In conclusion we take this opportunity of conveying to members of our Association thanks for their willingness at all times to further the common good; and we trust that, notwithstanding the present satisfactory condition of the Association, no effort on the part of members will be wanted to cause the coming year to be crowned with still greater results.

The following is the scheme of federation as suggested by the Committee of the Christchurch M.P.A.:—

  • 1. Name.—The name shall be « The Federated Master Printers' Association of New Zealand. »
  • 2. Objects.—The objects of the Association shall be—(a) To bind more closely the present M. P. A.'s, and to form one united body for the colony. (b) To devise steps to prevent undue competition in the trade. (c) To secure as far as possible uniformity of charges throughout the colony. (d To advise local M. P. A.'s, and to encourage their formation where not in existence. (e) To secure uniformity of rules of the different Associations. (f) To promote the general advancement and prosperity of the trade.
  • 3. Members.—The Association in each city or town shall be entitled to representation in the Council as follows—five or less, one elective member; more than five, two ditto. The President of each Association shall be ex officio member of the Council, but should any ex officio member be unable to attend the Council's session another member of the same Association may be appointed in his place.
  • 4. The Council.—The Council, as above constituted, shall meet annually at such time and place as shall be determined by resolution.
  • 5. Officers.—A President, Vice-President, and Secretary shall be elected by the Council at its annual meeting, who shall hold office until their successors are elected.
  • 6. Funds.—Funds shall be provided by a levy on the M.P.A.'s of such amount as shall be determined on by the Council.
  • 7. Powers.—The powers of the Council shall be as follows:—(a) To arbitrate when necessary between Associations, or between members of Associations. (b) To legislate for the trade as a whole on purely trade matters. (c) To fix minimum tariffs for work, to be applicable to the entire colony. (d) To make representations to Parliament and Government on trade matters. (e) To deal with and regulate matters re apprentices, wages, and similar questions. (f) To deal with large Government and other contracts. (g) To call on members for mutual help in the interests of the trade generally. (h) To make by-laws to regulate its meetings, and other business. (i) To arrange for each Association keeping up a regular correspondence with all others. (j) To prepare and pass a code of rules which shall be adopted by all Associations.

There is nothing very bright to report in regard to business generally—orders are very slow in coming forward.

The February number of Typo is much appreciated. It contains good useful and instructive matter, and is more interesting than ever.