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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 79

[conclusion]

page 3

The German in himself and in his trade had proved himself undesirable, and now was the time when his whole elan and effects should be swept for ever from our midst.

In the course of a general discussion upon the idea of forming the league to force public opinion upon the issue of making it impossible ever again for Germany to trade with this Dominion.

Mr. F. W. Manton (Wellington) pointed out that just before the war New Zealand had been deluged with offers of trade from Germany and Austria—from places of which we had never heard—and he knew for a fact that this was one outcome of the presence of German representatives in our midst. For practical purposes every German firm in New Zealand was a business spy. Mr. Manton also mentioned that since the war began a German in London had actually had the effrontery to send a representative to Wellington to endeavour to establish a company under the title of the Belgian Trading Company! Need-less to say that scheme had been nipped in the bud.

Mr. F. W. Mitchell (Dunedin) pointed out the good work the league could do in the way of influencing public opinion and forcing the Government to take action upon this matter.

Mr. A. J. Carlton (Wellington) indicated that substantial support had been promised to the league by influential men in the capital city, and also said that the executive of the Welling-ton Association would be prepared to actively undertake the inauguration of the league. He had every confidence in the ability of the Commercial Travellers' Association to carry the thing through to a successful issue.

Mr. A. E. Philps (Wellington) declared that such a league as this had to be started in order to secure the objects aimed at.

Mr. S. A. Orchard, president of the conference, heartily approved of the idea, saying that he was satisfied they had to get such a thing going. Although they were at war with Ger-many, he knew that German goods were coming into the country—goods might be bought in neutral countries in all good faith that, they were of neutral make, and yet they would be found to he of German origin. It was a downright shame that such things should be upon our shelves, and every effort should be made to prevent such an occurrence and strengthen the bonds of Empire trade for the future days of peace.

The motions already indicated were carried unanimously. The founders of the league were the members of the Conference of the United Association comprising representatives from Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch, each centre being thus pledged to actively assist in the propaganda to be undertaken.

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At a further meeting of the Conference delegates held on Friday afternoon, Mr. James Brown, secretary of the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association at Dunedin. Mr. A. J. Carlton, secretary to the Association at Wellington: Mr. W. Garrett, of the Auckland Association, and Mr. H. B. Gould, Conference and Association Secretary at Christchurch, consented to act as interim secretaries in their respective centres, pending the formation of representative committees, and the appointment of such permanent officials as may be necessary in connection with the work of the League.

The subscription was fixed at a minimum of one shilling leaving it open with members to contribute larger sums in furtherance of the objects of the league.

Issued by the Wellington Centre—

A. J. Carlton,

Interim Secretary, Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Assn., Victoria Street, Wellington.

Ferguson and Osborn. Printers Lambton Quay. Wellington-74311

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