File:Canadian forest industries 1916 (1916) (20337556828).jpg

Title: Canadian forest industries 1916
Identifier: canadianforest1916donm (find matches)
Year: 1916 (1910s)
Authors:
Subjects: Lumbering; Forests and forestry; Forest products; Wood-pulp industry; Wood-using industries
Publisher: Don Mills, Ont. : Southam Business Publications
Contributing Library: Fisher - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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CANADA LUMBERMAN AND WOODWORKER March 15, 1916 Annual Meeting of Western Retailers Good Progress Shown in Reports Presented—W. D. Galvin Re-elected President— Uses and Limits of Associations The twenty-fifth annual convention of the Western Retail Lum- bermen's Association, representing the lumbering- and woodworking interests of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, was held at Winni- peg recently. Almost 300 delegates were in attendance, being from districts as far'apart as Victoria, B. C, Fort Frances, Ont, and St. Paul, Minn., U. S. A. For the first time for many years the retailers invited the manufacturers and wholesalers to partake in their conven- tion. A further feature of the meeting was the fact that for the first time in the history of the Association, the retail lumber dealers from Alberta had a voice in the proceedings owing to the affiliation of this Province at the twenty-fourt annual meeting of the Western Retail Lumbermen's Association. President's Address The President, Mr. W. D. Galvin, of the Galvin Lumber Yards. Ltd.. Winnipeg, in his annual address said in part:— Events of profound and colossal importance have stirred the world during the past twelve months,—events in which Canada is particularly concerned. Yet at the close of this memorable year we find, upon taking inventory, that in this country we have much cause for gratification. This is shown from a material view point in an abundance of crops of all kinds and an increased output of manufacturers, in themselves evidence that' there may be found resources of sufficient adequacy to supply a self-supporting nation. To be recognized as logical distributors of lumber supplies, we in turn must recognize and meet the various demands of the public, even where part of such demands must be supplied in a manner unlike that with which we have been accustomed. In other words, we must meet the varying demands of ADEQUATE SERVICE if we hope to keep the business at home. The lack of such ser- vice shows the lack of progress on the part of the dealer. Unquestionably this is recognized as the guiding principle in the conduct of his business, by nearly every dealer. It means that having obtained a contract, we have not rendered adequate service to our customer by selling him the abstract forms of dimension, boards and shiplap, unless we have entered into the transaction by supplying necessary suggestions and aid for completing the concrete form as exempli- fied in a finished house, barn, or other building, to the satisfaction of the customer. This thought has been supplied and emphasized in a most thor- ough manner by the activities of the Western Retail Lumbermen's Associa- tion of-the Western States. It means, that in order to accomplish things, you should continually make use of your building department devised for this purpose, or some other good building plan system, if there is any reason why you cannot use that of the association. It means that you should use constantly and conscientiously, all of the devices which are supplied by the Association, and which cannot succeed un- less they have the support of your co-operation. It means loyal support for the undertakings of your Association both active and financial. It means, that we should devise a more adequate system of credits throughout the country, and, having been devised, it should be constantly adhered to:—a system that will establish a proper relation between the man who is entitled to credit and the one who is not, affording a measure of ade- quate service to the worthy man, and a means of protection to the dealer. A progressive and constructive policy means that the retailer should ever bear in mind the fact that his co-relation with the manufacturer is funda- mental; that a greater co-operation should exist between the two branches of the one industry to the end that the greatest economic good may be accom- plished for the public as well as the producer or dealer. This can only be done by proper measures of distribution rendering adequate supply service to the public, and by proper manufacturing methods with a view to elimination of waste; both with due regard for forest conservation. It means an earnest endeavor to correct economic abuses within our in- dustry, one of the most flagrant of which is inordinate overcrowding of com- petition at many points, bearing definite illustration in itself by necessity of the old saying, that "the consumer must pay the tax." Where two or even three yards at some points would suffice to afford abundance of competition, the existence of five or six yards, as is often found, creates a burden of over- head expense without adding one iota of service, and affords good cause on the part of the public for the suspicion, that as a result of this abuse, someone other than the dealer must pay. The fact is the stage of "diminishing" re- turns has been reached, and many communities as well as the industry would be far better off if this evil could be corrected. . What more does a progressive and constructive policy mean? It means above all, that our activities should always be made clear and above public suspicion. They should be conducted on a basis of broadminded business administration free from deserved reproach or criticism, and in such a manner as to make sure that our business occupies an honored position before the public, second to that of no other industry. This may be accom- plished by throwing open the methods of our business to public scrutiny at any time, so that the oft repeated opprobrium, "Robber lumber dealer," and such other mendacious fallacies may no longer be used, even by a minor un- informed portion of the public. Secretary's Report The secretary's report presented by Mr. N, G. Neil stated that out of a total of 1,400 yards, 55 per cent, were now members of the Association and 70 per cent, were actually affiliated with it in some shape or form. The membership during the year had increased by 350 yards or 80 per cent. The secretary then outlined the various
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