TOBACCONISTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1925, Page 2

TOBACCONISTS.

FIRMS SEEKING LICENSING. AYELLINGTON, .March 9 Some time ago master tobacconists in the retail trade in the Dominion held a conference, as the result ol wr.i li a deputation was appointed to wait up n the Minister for Labour (Hon G. .1. Anderson) to ask for legislation, providing for the licensing of tobacconists, in order to secure protection from aid prevent unfair trading by certain masses of trailers who sell tobacco and cigarettes in conjunction with their other business, and were permitted by law to keep their premies open allot the hours at which tobacconists are compelled by law to close. The deputation waited upon the Minister, who subsequently telegraphed that lie proposed having leg's drafted for licensing tobacconists, and would submit it to Cabinet for "n----siileratioii when the legislative programme for next session was under >.eview. A leading Wellington toha:-• m.st stated that a personal assurance 1 ail been given by the Minister, that the desired legislation would he submitted to Cabinet shortly, and would be pushed ahead early in the coming session. The tobacconists were now seeking to create a monpoly, but wanted fair-trad-i„-.r, and to that end were prepared tiF’nnv a tobacco license, winch would bring in a sum of £IO,OOO to £l2,<)!A a year in the Dominion without involving anv additional work. The speaker added that a great deal „f illegitimate business was being done at the present moment, but the I abmii Department was powerless to deal with the anomalies of the law as it now Mood and the proposed legislation would enable the Department to see th-.it the law was pinperly curried <> ut -