BOMBING DEFENDED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 21, 18 October 1937, Page 3

BOMBING DEFENDED

Japanese Raids on Canton and Nanking

MILITARY OBJECTIVES

Since the scheme for the raConalisation of the pharmacy industry broke down because of the refusal of certain manufacturing interests to join in a merger, the Bureau of Indurtries has been at work preparing another scheme: for the regulation and control of the industry, and has now produced a plan under the Industrial Efficiency Act which it describes as tentative only. The plan formed the subject of a conference last week in Wellington and its proposals, which are far-reaching, are now being considered by the sections interested. While it xepresents an attempt to control the whole of the pharmacy industry within the Dominion, critics d«scribe as a weakness fthe fact that the scheme takes no account of tho effects of overseas eompetition. An Administrative Body. 1 Under the plan it is proposed to set up a pharmacy council whose duties will be administrative. This council will include the Director of Pharmacy, two Government representatives, an employees' representative and .Tepresentatives of the Tetail chemists, but apparently it is not intended to include a representative of the manufacturers of drugs. This pharmacy council will distribute licenses to retail chemists according to population needs and it will control a proposed co-operative buying organisation. Its duties chiefly concern the retail chemists' trade and in this respect it will probably be governed to a great degree by suggestions in the plan which sets out that the standard of prices aimed at should be those of a certain overseas chain organisation. Specialisation of Production In addition to the pharmacy council there will be an advisory council, which, besides containing representatives of the retail chemists, will include the Government analyst and a representative of the manufacturers. This advisory council, working under the bureau » and the Minister, can recommend the restriction in manufacture of any particular line by any particular firm. It is pointed out in criticism that this provision brings rationalisation into the wholesale industry, for the obvious intention is to reduce prices by introducing specialisation so far as possible. The manufacturing industry covers a wide range of basinesse3 which supply not only Tetail chemists, but many other classes of trade. While manufacturing chemists must r employ licensed chemists, this provision is also extended into the packing and re-packing trade which deals with drugs or such products as cosmetics. Licensed chemists will not only be empowered to sell and prescribe drugs, but also cosmetics, photographic appliances, etc. Suggested License Fces. The suggested license fees to be paid by retail chemists embody a minimum of £12 10s a year up to a £5000 a year turnover. Of this sum, the Bureau of Industries is to take £2 2s. The plan, which is the second prepared by the bureau — the first related to the flax industry — has been in pre•paration since February, and it seta out many suggestions for the guidancs of chemists, including the necessity fo^ bright window displays. While not included in the plan, it is stated that an integral part of the control scheme will 'bo the restriction of the sale of certain products and articles to chemists only. It is further stated that this list has :been prepared, but until the plan is (accepted and becomes official, it is not Jproposed to publish it. Doubtless it iwill then be gazetted.