Fines For Butter Coupon Deficiencies

Chronicle (Levin), 5 September 1949, Page 4

Fines For Butter Coupon Deficiencies

That retailers in the country experignced difficulty' in col.ecting bUi.ter coupons and the 'department recognised this by al owing a small percentage for iosses was comment made by Mr. A. A- McLach.an, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court, Levin, on Friday when dealing with . two oases against local grocers in regard to deficiencies, "There are always those people who, when delivery is made a gau^s, promise to bring the coupons in nexv da.y but lOiget tp do so," he added. He fined Quinn's Stores, Ltd., £5 and Walter John Barrat £6 on charges brought against. them by the Rationing Controlier. Appearing for Quinn's Stores, Mr. J. Todd entered a plea of guilty, but added that the firm was operating in a big way and at times had seven on its svafl. With people queued up it was very easy for the system of collecting the coupons to break down. He also drew attention tothe smallness of the coupons. In reply to a question fro.m the magistrate, Mr. • Todd said that one-third of the butter soid was. on a delivery basis. He also pointed out that since the in-

spector's visit the firm had- made every effort and had now reduced the margin " of error from 10 per cent. to iwo per cent., wrhich was a most pprfection. Mr. Todd aise drcw the cour^'s attention to a delay in bringing the case, stating diat the information had been in the hands of the department since April. "It seems that the "department takes upon itself a discreuon as to when and if it is to prosecute. It is extraordinary that it has chosen to prosecu.e now and I submit it is not right consider-^ ing the firm has improved the position so much." In view of the fact that the position was now reasonably near che mark he asked that the penalty be light. Frgncis Jgmes Quinn gave evidence along these lines. For the controlier, Mr. J. Williams said that an inspeetion of the firm's coupons had been made on April 10 for ihe period from November 21, 1948. It was found that 539 lbs. of Dutter had been sold without.-the necessary surrendering of the coupons. The magistrate entered a* conviction and infiicted a fine of £5, court costs were 10s and solicitor's fees £2 2s. In the case against Barrat, Mr, WiLiams stated that coupons were deficient for a total of 1787' lbs, of butter, covering a seven month period. Appearing on his own behalf, Barrat said that every effort haq been made to keep a check, but the flimsiness and smallness of the coupons made collection difficult, particularly when butter was de-t livered- He had often found coupons in the glove box of the van months afterwards. A fine of £6 was imposed, court costs being 10s and solicitor's fees £2 2s, A request by the department for a Government witness.' travelling expenses was not allowed by the magistrate. .