Lait Friday niglit, at Lcyland's rea-'tauranl, the Duncan branch, ReUil Merchants' association of Canada, lis tened to the report of their president, Mr. S. R. Kirkham, on his recent at tendance at Vancouver, and reached aeveral important decuiona. In addition to a dozen members, '^ere were present Messrs. J, W. Cnrri^ A. Pa*e and E. Potta Mr. Kirknam described at lencth the work achieved at the convention of the B. C. executive on March 22nd. The <}uestions under discussion included sales tax,

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... collections, sales by whole salers to consumers, and a variety of other tubjecta Chief amonf them were the ouei tions of Oriental exclusion and of the personal property Ux. Respecting the latter the R.M.A. of Canada has long jessing for^its favoured and is still abolition and the si graduated income tax on the lines which are advocated by Mr. K. F. Duncan, M.L.A. With the aid of a chart Mr. Kirk ham showed the taxation of a retailer :as compared with that of a profession-.-al man, taking the grocer and lawyer as illnstrations. Peraoaal Property Tax .As far as income tax is concerned the two come out equal, if it be as sumed that net profits be the same. However, under the personal prop-•erty tax, the injustice immediately be->coraes apparent The grocer cited has $30000 investmwit; the lawyer $500 l^h draws a $200 salary. One has a net loss of S750 on the year's business: the other sustains a debt df like amount. The *»*. o» <**e grocer »s $100. That on the lawyer is $5. Although the income tax in these two cases would be an equal amount, m the case of the personal property -tax the grocer would be paying $295 more than the lawyer or $147.50 for himself and $147.50 for his profes.-ional friend. It was stated in Vancouver that in England retailers Were being reim bursed where it was shown that they 'had sustained loss but had been taxed -on personal property. The exclusion of .Asiatics is a matter in which the R.M.A. has taken a keen interest It is lieing pressed at Ottawa by the B. C. members, irrespective of 'party. The Duncan branch is heartily in accord. The thanks of the meeting were conveyed to Mr. Kirkham for his ser vices at Vancouver and his exeellent report. Daylight and Donationt Following the reading ni a letter •from the E. & N. R.. in which it was stated that the line had had no advice that daylight would be adopted, it was resolved to lay this matter over for iurthcr consideration. The report of the committee on do nations was carefully considered and adopted. Similar action has been tak en in other comrannitics to meet the •continued demand upon retailers for contributions and donations to social and charitable functions and for the -taking of advertising space in cata logues and programmes. A proportionate amount is to be levied on all memoers and thus a "donation fund" wilt he created. It will be administered by three mem bers. In future all applications similar to those above noted, will have to be made through the president to the <lonation committee, who will pass upon applications and authorize pay ments they consider warranted. It was decided that stores in Dun can should close at 1 p.m. on Easter Monday. They will, of course, be closed on Good Friday, a Dominion holiday. Thanks were accorded Mr. Leyland for refreshments and accom modation generously provided for the meeting. TWO FATAUTIES Tnautt Dog Snna Beer To Death-OwnerPined Before Mr. C. H. Price, police mag istrate, at Cfaemainus, last Friday morning Major F. C. P. Williams-Freeman was adjudged guilty of al lowing his dog to run deer. A fine of $10.00 and costs was' imposed. The case was prosecuted by Mr. E. G.