Grocers' Grievances Are Brought To light

Chronicle (Levin), 13 February 1948, Page 7

Grocers' Grievances Are Brought To light

press AssocULtion)

(Per

DUNEDIN, Feb. 14. Despite assurances from the Alinister of Kehabilitation, Hon. C. F. Skinner, that ouly returned servicemeu would be granted "grocers' shops in State housing areas, tliis was not th.e case, stated deJegates to the annual conference of Ihe New Zealand Master Grocers' Federation today. Mr. W. McLean (Wellington) said he took strong exception to monopolies grunted to consuiner cb-ops in State housing areas because, although they inight have been able to give adequate service previously, the settleni'ents had grown to such an extent that the ridiI'ulous position existed in some places that one shop was asked to supply 11000 to 4000 eustomers. He urged that steps be taken to ensure that indi%'iduai traders, especially returned servicemeu, i > be given an opportunity to open busin *nesses in these areas. The conference decided to draw the atteution of the Alinisters of Eehabilitation and of lndustries and Commerce to the inadequacy of shopping facilities in certain State housing areas and recommended that, in order to provide a better service and stimulate* healthy coinpetition. new grocery stores be made availab'le to ex-servicemen. Although the margin of profit was rigidlv controlled when liousehold goods such as bar soap increased in price due to increased costs of production, the saies tax was also advanced, said Mr. C. E. Eawlings CCanterbury ). A. consuiner was now forced to pay approxiinatelv 13 Ad saies tax on each bar of soap and similar conditions applied to other household lines. .Lt was decided to urge the Minister, of Finance to reviow the saies tax on ;

certain household lines such as bar aiid powdered soap and polishes. ' ' Wainui s are a definite luxury linc and should not be sold uiider coutrolleil prices," said Mr. W. W. Eeid (Canterbury). About half of the walnuts grown in New Zealand came from Banks Peninsula, especially arouud Akaroa, but it was not a largo industrv and total saies did not cxceeii £20,000. Mr. A. A. Kelly (Hawke's Bay) said that although the retail price was lixed ut 2/- lb., grocers had to pay more th.au that if they wished to obtain sup plies for their eustomers. Other delegates said that although walnuts were grown to some extent all over New Zealand, it was extremely difficult to procure any for retail sale. I On the whole quality had been falling I off over fhe past few years. i Mr. Reid's motion that the Food I Controller be aslced to take walnuts olT the list of eontrolled prices, was lost.