Pharmacy Plan is Approved

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 73, 18 December 1937, Page 5

Pharmacy Plan is Approved

-Press Association.)

RETAIL CHEMISTS Ballot Favours Reorganisation Proposals MINISTER'S COMMENT

(Bj^ Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, This Day. An announcement tnat the provisional plan for the reorganisation of the pharmacy industry of the Dominion' has been approved by the retail pharmacists was made by the Minister jf Industries and Commerce, the Hon. G. Sullivan, in an interview last evening. He said that further negotiatlons had still toaake place before the ques.tion of bringing the plan into operation under the provisions of the Industrial Efficieney Act was considered by the Government. . "I am pleased to announce," said! Mr Sullivan, ' ' that the provisional plan issued by the Bureau of Industry under the terms of the Industrial Efficieney Act has been approved of in no uncertain manner by retail pharmaelsti throughout the country. Out of a total of approximately 602 shops, principals operating 568 shops xecorded their vote a return of 94 per cent. Of the votet recorded, 544 were in favour oi tlie plan, 19 against, and five informal, This gives a favourable vote equal to 96 per cent. of the votes returned, and 90 per cent. of all principals engaged in the industry. "I think this is a remarkable result," continued Mr Sullivan, "not so much in regard to the large majorlty of pharmaeists who have recorded their votes in favour of the plan, but especially as to the total vote polled. "Many meetings were held throughout the Dominion at which members of the speeial committee, accompanied by representatives of the Pharmacy Board," attended and explained the provisions of the plan. After attending thesa meetings, and hearing the plan explained and discussed, chemists generally were of opinion that fihe pian, Xf put into operation, would result in material benefit to, and the reorganisation of the industry. "The provisional plan was issued foi, two main purposes — first, to secure an expression of opinion from retail pharmaeists as to whether the plan should be put into operation, and, secondly, to enable any persons who might considor themselves materially affected by the; provisions of the plan to make their representations to the Government. In this connection a number of discusslons have already been held between the bureau and representatives of certain interests who were of the opinion that they would be prejudicially affected by the plan. "It has been found, however, that the main difficulty so far has been due to different interpretations placed upon certain provisions of the plan, and the bureau has been able to reach agreement upon these points. Further representations are to be made by other bodies. " The Minister concluded ' by stat!n§ that, after all these representations had been made and discussions held aceordingly with the bureau, the question of bringing the plan into operation under the provisions of the Industrial Efficieney Act would be considered by tht Government.