KEEPING BUSINESSES GOING.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1918, Page 6

KEEPING BUSINESSES GOING.

WHEN MEN ARE CALLED UP, SECOND DIVISION PROPOSALS. At the Second Division Conference in Wellington last week a scheme was brought down to carry on the businesses of men called up for aetive service. It was fully discussed, and after revision was presented to Cabinet, which received it sympathetically. The report, as finally adopted, is as follows: 1. That the Government recognise the principle of equality of sacrifice by providing that a proprietor of a business, when called up for active service, should not have to sacrifice his business—goodwill, plant and stock—in addition to the ordinary hardships of military service.

2. (a) To effect this, when the owner of a financially sound business is called up for active service and is not able to arrange either for the| continuance or sale of same, the Gov- j eminent shall immediately proclaim I that business, and every business of a like nature in that town or district a protected industry. (b) That a Government controller of soldiers' businesses be appointed, for each province. (c) That if the business of applicant is, on examination by the controller, found not to be of a payable nature, the proprietor and the Government shall each appoint a valuator, and the stocks be sold to the best advantage, any 'difference between the valuators' average and the amount realised to be made good by the Government

3. Prohibit any similar business from being established in the proclaimed district without a permit from the Government controller. 4. Form from the heads of all the businesses in that industry a board of trustees to manage the business of the man called up. 5. That the Government controller examine the affairs, books or the balancesheets of these businesses for the previous three years, find out the average proportionate profit made by each for that period, and instruct the board of trustees that the average profit made by the business of the departing man during that time must be maintained in proportion to the total profits of the combined businesses during his absence. G. That the trustees control the business for twelve months after the termination of the war, or up to such lesser time at which the returned soldier may elect to resume control.

7. That in the event of the death of the soldier while on active service, the control by the trustees be determined by the executors of deceased. 8. That the value of the goodwill of the business of the departing soldier be assessed, and the valuation of the soldiers' stock taken at the date of the trustees taking over the business. In case of the death of the owner the stock be again taken, the goodwill assessed in proportion to the advance or decline of the total nett income of all such businesses within the area, and that the business then, if desired by the executors, be realised, the goodwill paid pro rata by the remaining businesses, and the stock realised, the Government to make up the difference, if any, between its actual value and its realisation of stock. 9. That the trustees may with the permission of the Government controller close down such business, and the owner, on his return, after taking over his realised capital, may recommence his business and claim the maintenance of his previously determined average profits for a term of two years after Ms return.