HAWKERS AND TRAVELLERS.

Shannon News, 26 October 1926, Page 2

HAWKERS AND TRAVELLERS.

A matter that occasionally comes before local bodies and chambers of commerce in various parts of New Zealand is that of the operations of hawkers, travellers and agents. In country districts in particular —and it Avould seem that the Otaki district is a specially, favoured hunting ground for people of this class —residents are continually being pestered by itinerant salesmen/ The gooil wife of the house is Avorried by a man avlio Avish.es to sell her a gramo-

A matter that occasionally comes bephone, and no sooner gets rid of him than another hinders her from her duties extolling the virtues of a wonderful cleanser that will remove all dirt and make the home one continual bed of roses. Then conies a pedlar hawking'all sorts of wares, drapery, jewellery (?), etc, followed closely'by a vendor of fruit, ' a loquacious insurance agent, and so on. This kind of thing appears to be growing to such an extent that it has became a perfect nuisance. Every housewife cannot keep a ferocious watch-dog, and it would seem that the time has come when some action should be taken to at least put a check to the trouble. The operations of these itinerants is viewed with disfavour bv business people. Many of these hawkers live cheaply, they haw no expensive rents to pay, and are consequently able to cut prices considerably. Moreover, it is contended that some of these hawkers and pedlars, having no regular establishment, and only moving about intermittently, are not particular as to their reputation for honesty or fair-dealing, and consequently do not hesitate to impose on their patrons by giving short weight or measure, or sell them articles of doubtful value. When the purchaser discovers that he or she has> been duped, it is found practically an impossibility to get satisfaction, as the salesman is away, and it is difficult to reach him. Thus it frequently happens that the deals effected by these men are veiy bad bargains, and at the same time cause a loss of business to the shopkeeper, who has heavy expenses to meet, and whose reputation demands that he sells a good article, and trades honestly. If householders would only consider these points for a minute, there avoiiH be far less business done at the door. Another highly objectionable feature of this common practice is the fact that, especially in isolated places, men with no sense of decency oftentimes frighten women into purchasing against their will. Viewed from all points, there are so many objectionable features about the whole business that we would urge readers to do their best to check the evil by refusing to do, business unless under special conditions. Local body by-laws provide for the licensing of hawkers and pedlars, but many of these itinerant people scarcely come under this heading. It seems difficult to discriminate'between a hawker and a traveller or an agent. In any case steps should certainly be taken* to ensure that those who require to be licensed should take out licenses, *nd any offenders should be prosecuted. The most effective way of dealing with what is growing to be a serious nuisance in the country is for the people to take the matter into their hands, and to refuse to deal with any travelling agent or salesman, except under special circumstances. If this were done, the miisance would very soon be overcome.