The Benevolent Fund Banquet.
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TH"year's president of the council, Mr. W. R. Morris, presided at the twenty-third annuali banquet of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund, held at the Connaught Rooms, on Tuesday last, November 6th. Very few of those present knew until they opened their programmes that Mr. Morris had headed the list of donations with tile magnificent sum of 110,000, this being the second year in succession in which the president had donated that amount. Sir Charles Wakefield gave a similar amount last year and this year subscribed another £500.
The toast of the Fund was proposed by Sir Edward Iiiffe, M.P. He said the membership this year had reached 6,652, which was 600 more than last year. Relief had been granted to the extent of £9,540, given to 270 applicants, as compared with £7,126 given to 229 applicants In 1027. Referring to the president's appeal it was stated that the list for this year had reached £17,000, of which Mr. Morris himself had given £10,000.
Mr. Morris, replying to the toast, expressed his astonishment that the fund was not more generally supported by those in whose interest8 it was formed— the workers. It was an extraordinary state of affairs that a man could not look ahead, prosperous though he might be at the moment, to the time when he might fall, and require the assistance that the Fund could give. Every operative in the indus tries could surely afford the modest sum of 5s. per annum.
Col, the Master of Sempill proposed the toast of the Motor and Cycle Trades, and Mr. F. S. Bennett, vice-president of the Society of Manufacturers and Traders, responded on behalf of the motor trade and Mr. -S. Bettmann, J.P., replied for the cycle trade.
The last toast of the evening, that of the chairman, was proposed by Mr, G, W, Lucas, president of the Motor Agents Association, who disclosed the interesting fact that be had been associated with Mr. Morris in producing the first Morris car at Cowley. But, said the speaker, Mr. Morris did the one uncharitable act of his life—at least, it was uncharitable to Mr. Morris himself—for he gave him (Mr. Lucas) the sack.
It was finally announced that with donations promised that night the amount subscribed this year reached £20,000.