A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 852, 25 June 1910, Page 14

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

TOBACCONIST'S GRIEVANCES. DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER FOR LABOUR. AJf INTERESTING REPLY. "It is a matter of life and death to us," remarked Mr. J. B. Speed, president of the Hp tail Tobacconists' Association, at a deputation which waited upon the Minister for Labour yesterday to bring forward several disabilities which, it was urged, the association laboured under at piesent. Mr. Speed said there were two matters which, the deputation wished to bring under notice particularly) First; the mater of licenses for all tobacconists ; and, secondly, the definition of tobacconists. The position of the trade in Wellington was of a precarious nature, as it was poached upon from all sides. Everyone appeared to sell cigarettes, not only after the hours which the legitimate tobacconists were compelled to close, but on Sundays and on holidays. A License Fee. The association thought a license fee of about £o os. per year would go a ■ long way to help the trade. The Government would derive a revenue of ,£205 from the local fees. Referring to the Customs surtax, Mr. Speed stated that small as the amount was, ■it was looked Upon by the trade as an imposition. A rise in the price of tobacco had been made, and the syndicate controlling matches had put up the price. These were only small tilings in themselves, and could not be passed oil to the public, but their effect was felt by the tobacconists. • Matches, for ' instance, had gone lip lOd. per gross, but the retailer could not charge the purchaser l}d. or lid., and so tliey had to bear the loss. Thus with all thoso things the surtax came very heavily on them. Referring to the definition of tho word tobacconist, they , wished the word, as it applied in tho Shops and Offices Act, to he defined as a person, company, or firm dealing partly or wholly in tobacco, cigarettes, or cigars. Such a definition of the word would; he thought, make, these dealers conform to the regulations laid down in the Shops and Offices Act-, • and do away with a lot of tho trading oil Sunday and holidays. Mr., Speed went 011 ,to refer to tho weekly half-holiday, which was observed on three dilferent days— Saturday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This, the deputation did not think, was fair trading, and they urged that 0110 day should be set apart 011 which all in tho trade should close. Another matter in regard to holidays was that Monday migut always be selected for. any holiday occurring in a week. The Main Thing. Mr. Aldous thought the main thing that was required M'as a definition of tho ■ vorcl "tobacconist." ■ His belief wa,s that tho Act had been meant to include as tobacconists anyone who sold tobacco. There were green-grocers, etc.,. selling tobacco at present, and whilst tobacconists had to close at 8 p.m., tho greengrocer could keep his shop open after 8. It was known that cigarottos, etc., were sold after 8 p.m., but tho Labour Department found difficulty ill getting a- conviction. If tho word "tobacconist" was defined as anyone selling tobacco in any shape or form, he tlumght the case would bo met. Mr. Gilbert also referred to. tho difficulty t-ho Labour Department had in ge.tt.iig a conviction, although it was 'known that sonic shops sold after 8 p.m. The difficulty could bo got over either by tlio issuing of a lioonso or by de-fining tho word tobacconist so that these miscellaneous trades came under the samo rules as tobacconists. The Minister's Reply. In reply, the Minister said 110 was fully cognisant of tho troubles wliioh had arisen, and were likely to a-riso under the law as it stood at present. Ho lenew what tho Labour Department had done, and the trouble it had in obtaining convictions against people who sold tobacco, etc., after 8 p.m. The Department had to get a sale mado before two people, and one of tho two had to bo aai inspector. Tho question of licensing tobacconists was worthy' of consideration, but tho local tobacconists would havo to get a more general expression of opinion, from tobacconists throughout New Zealand before anything could be done. Ho could seo the advantages of tlio suggestions, and would bring the matters before his coJleagues. Tlio changes asked, however, were, radical, and would effect tlio whole of New Zealand. The Wholesale Dealers. Ho thought a good deal of assistance could be reaidoredby tlio wholesale dealers. If they discriminated as to whom they saipplieil and fell into line with tho association by refusing to supply otlior than .tobacconists, sometliing would be gained from the association's point of view. Whether tho wholesale peoplo were prepared to do this was another matter. Ho thought tho wholesale houses could oxorcise a good deal inoro judgment than they did at present. Tile suggestion that the association should wait upon tho_ wholesalers might bo worth considering. , The Customs surtax had been absolutely necessary, because of tho falling Customs revenue, but it would cease on March 31 next, as it had only been put in for 18 months. As lie had said iit was only temporary, and was a-pplicd to all classes of goods. As to tlio rise in tho prico, of matches, was this not a chance fox tho local match factory to get 1 in? A voice: Thej; are in the syndicate. They are combining now, sir. It is almost impossible for an outside factory to como in here unless they receive your hearty support." Suggested Legislation. Mr. Millar, continuing, said that it was likely that an Anti-Trust and Anti Bill would be brought down next session. 'Such a Bill was doing enormous good in Australia and lie anticipated good results here. As- to tho definition of the word "tobacconist" any suggestion such' as the 0110 proposed could not be made to apply all over New Zealand because of the number of country stores etc., to bo considered. Tlio Government was dealing with the Shops and Offices Act and tho suggestion put forward could possibly be applied to boroughs of 5000 or more inhabitants. As a matter of fact this was ( the only way that 110 could see it could be done. He fully realised that something should bo done to havo the law observed as itwas meant to bo observed. Holidays. Tho question of holidays was under tho consideration of himself and colleagues just now and from Australian experience he was inclined to think that Saturday would be tho absolute half-holiday. Saturday had worked successfully in Melbourne and tho Premier of Victoria had told him that ho intended to mako it apply to the wholo of Victoria. Tho same thing applied to New South Wales. Probably something in similar linos would bo introduced in New Zealand. As to public holidays this question was being dealt with as to tho holiday being hold on tho nearest Monday to that 011 which it occurred so as to give a complete rest with a Sunday thrown in. Ho. would givo the matter consideration and endeavour lo submit something to Parliament which he hoped-would meet with, the suuDort of the House.