GROCERS CONFER

Evening Star, Issue 19785, 8 February 1928, Page 4

GROCERS CONFER

THE TIME PAYMENT EVIL [Per United Press Association.] NELSON, February 7. The fifth annual conference of the Now Zealand Master Grocers’ Federation was opened by Mr A'. D. M‘Leod (Minister of Lands) to-day. More than fifty delegates were present. The Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffat) accorded the delegates a welcome to Kelson. Mr H. Atmore, M.P., the Hon. W. W. Snodgrass, M.L.C.. and the president of the Chamber of Commerce (Mr E. H. Thomson) also extended a welcome to the visitors. In the course of his remarks the Minister said the committee that dealt with the recommendation of the Proprietary Articles Trade Association did not come to a decision until it had given the very closest consideration to all the best evidence available from all parts of the world. As regards Government interference in business, it was hard to know where it was going to start and where it was going to end.. If a trade were going along all right and making a fair profit, then it should bo Jett alone, but -where an unfair profit was taken for services rendered, then the public would demand that the Government step in. Mr M‘Leod said that he did not think stability in the country .was built up by the growth of lmge_ monopolies, but lie was sure the Empire owed its present solidity to the multitude of small shopkeepers who exhibited a spirit of healthy independence. When monopolies existed then the Government had to interfere, either by entering into competition itself, or else laying down fixed prices for tho commodities concerned. Thus it would he seen that the necessity for State interference arose in trade itself, and if^ it wore properly conducted, then the Government had no cause to step in. Mr M'Leod also stressed the need of encouraging New Zealand-made goods. When vegetables and similar commodities were being imported into New Zealand. then it was obvious there was something wrong.

LUXURY PURCHASES. In iiis presidential address Mr A. Goodley (Dunedin) referred to the growing prevalence of the time payment system in business. _ Money which should be used in paying for the necessaries of life, was frittered away in purchasing luxuries. It was the determination of those who were supplying the necessaries of life to restrict credit, if not insisting on cash payment on delivery. The annual report staled, inter alia; It is with profound regret that we have to report that the proposed Proprietary Articles Trade Association following an inquiry instituted by the Government, has ceased to exist. The attitude of the trade was presented in a comprehensive statement submitted by the secretary before the committee was appointed to conduct tho inquiry. Without wishing to reflect upon the personnel of the committee, your executive expresses Us regret that the parties interested had no opportunity of making any recommendation as to any appointment which should be made thereon. Whilst fully recognising that such appointments must necessarily finally rest w:in the Government, there is no gainsaying the fact that if the approval of the parties concerned was first sought it would tend to make impossible it uch dissatisfaction, such as was mandesfed during tho inquiry to which eferouce is here made. The executive does not feci called upon to pass any comment on the value of the evidence widen was brought forward, recognising mat members were well able to form their own judgment from the detailed report of tic inquiry. Suffice it to say that those directly interested were far from being satisfied with tho committee s findings. The executive expressed appreciation of tho manner in which the Labor Department had sought Us co-opera-tion during the year. _ Tho secretary attended several conferences having reference to tho proposed amendments lo tho Shops and Offices Act, and whilst tho legislation now in force may not meet with hill approval, an advance has been made. Mention should hero be made ol the very definite pronouncement which the executive was able to malic relative to tho sale of groceries by other tinders during such hours as grocers were compelled to close. Tho unlair competition which has been the cause for complaints for many years past can in a measure now bo satisfactorily dealt with, and it behoves individual members of the trade, as opportunity offers, to bring under tho notice of their respective associations any cases in which the law is being transgressed in this respect. A rapid increase in the use of tho coupon and prize schemes per medium or newspaper and other advertising mediums lias occasioned much anxious thought, and the executive has not been Jacking in its endeavors, wherever possible, to seek for united _ action on the part of affiliated associations. It is gratifying to report that at least in one or two instances the efforts of the executive met with some measure of success. It has all along been felt that this unsatisfactory ‘"method of trading was such ns warranted and demanded the introduction of amending legislation by tho Government. With " consistent persistency your executive has continued to bring this matter under tho notice of the Department of Industries and Commerce, and members will learn with much satisfaction that at least an opportunity is to be afforded of definite action being taken, the results of which it is hoped will he given effect to by the amending legislation. It is to bo regretted that tho time payment system is rapidly on tho increase, and although the Government is well aware of the conditions that at present exist, there has apparently been no effort to introduce legislation to deal effectively with the matter. The executive is satisfied that immediate action is necessary, as there is on every hand evidence that this _ method of trading is not only injurious to the legitimate trader, but is detrimental having regard to the moral welfare of Ihe general public. A sterling tribute, was paid to the late Mr John Henderson, ex-president of the federation.