CHAIN STORE INQUIRY

Evening Star, Issue 22458, 1 October 1936, Page 2

CHAIN STORE INQUIRY

COMPETIimW WITH MEAT AND FRUIT TRADES

[Per United Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, September .30,

Unfair competition in the moat and fruit trades was complained of by witnesses when the Industries and Commerce Committee of the House continued the hearing to-day of a petition asking for legislation with regard to chain stores.

Mr Stephenson president of the Canterbury Master Butchers’ Association, road a statement in which it was asked that export companies should he prevented from entering into the retail trade in New Zealand. It was mainvtainod that freezing companies had an export license only. If the presentday conditions persisted half the retail butchers would go out of business.

A member of tho committee remarked that in view of tho evidence freezing companies should have an opportunity of being heard and replying to tho allegations. Mr Stephenson said that if all the moat for retail were killed at the abattoirs butchers could reduce their prices. Air Tnnley, president of tho Dominion Council of the Master Butchers’ Association, said ho had signed the petition as a private individual and subsequently withdrew it, as it appeared that ho had signed it on behalf of the council. Ho had no authority to commit his organisation, he said. He made no complaint against tho Gear Company. It strictly observed the conditions and regulations governing the trade. Butchers would not object to it opening additional shops in Wellington.

A Wellington fruiterer, Mr Walker, complained of the competition of chain stores, saying that they cut the prices of fruit and flowers as a decoy to sell other lines. This witness also said that in his opinion private buying at ‘markets should be prohibited. To the Alinister of Industries and Commerce (Air Sullivan) he said that ho did not mind who sold so long as fair prices wore charged. Mr Russell, a tobacconist, objected to all traders other than tobacconists selling tobacco and cigarettes. He also complained of after-hours trading.