COUPON SYSTEM .

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4540, 6 December 1930, Page 3

COUPON SYSTEM .

ANOTHER PROTEST.

DETRIMENTAL TO TRADE

ACTION TO BE TAKEN

Another protest against the issue of coupons and certificates for prizes was made to the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. A. dc la- Perrolle) at Wellington by representatives of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, the (Dominion Grocers' Association, the Watchmakers and Jewellers' Association, the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, the Wholesale Warehouses Association, the 'Wellington Retailers’ Association, and (4her commercial associations. It was contended that the coupons had a most detrimental effect on legitimate business and were injuring both the trader and the consumer. A sympathetic reply was given bv the Minister, who promised to place the whole matter before .Cabinet; immediately, lie said that lie realised the serious - ■css of the position. MINISTER .SYMPATHETIC. “I am naturally impressed by the representative nature of this gathering,’’ said Mr. dc la Perrolle in I'eply, “and T feel that there can h<’ no doubt that (lie coupon system be having a damaging ( fleet on business. It. was suggested to me on Thursday that I should take action in the matter, and 1 think yon can safely leave it. to me. If it is n fc all possible the matter will be dealt- with by Orderin -Council, Inn if that is not; possible ;wo will have to wait until next session. According to the Ci-own Law Office, the present Act is worthless. T acknowledge the importance of the representations, and I am placing the whole matter before Cabinet.”' It seemed to him that, the Universal coupons wore particularly dangerous to business.

Mr. dc la Port'd lo said that they would realise that it might take a little time to put the regulations into force. They would have to give the people an opportunity of redeeming their coupons, but the matter would he placed under consideration immediately. Mr. Campbell said that no exception could bo taken to a trader issuing coupons and redeeming them with his own goods. That was only another way of giving discount, but 'they strongly objected lo the cigarette, coupons, the Universal certificates, and similar -all CHIOS.

The Fox ton Chamber of Commerce Ims. forwarded a protest to the Minister against the coupon system.