THE PREMIER AND TRADING STAMPS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 163, 11 July 1900, Page 2

THE PREMIER AND TRADING STAMPS.

(To the. Editor.)

Sir.^Are trading stamps a form of gambling? If so, why should the totnllsator, In connection with which printed tickets are issued by thousands; »?,> legalised by, Parliament? Trading stanip3 as they now exist, and are used ill this and other parts of the colony, appear to. be controlled by the proprietors in a legitimate and honourable manner, although a number of shopkeepers.,not using them do all in their pOWer to oppose their circulation. . The issue stir trading stamps is a simple matter. OA application a book is given,. which tn<» collector is requested to fill through tho medium of his storekeepers, drapers,, etc. To obtain stamps the public must make, a purchase, the istamps taking the placs of discount. At present it is riot the custom when small purchases of a "few Sh'1 * lings are made to allow discount, but through the medium of the stamps smallpurchasers receive a discount, .which theyl would otherwise lone. On completion or the book an article is chosen from selection on view at the company's SH6w rooms* The .value of the article given' is about two-thirds of the cost of the stamps collected, allowing say, one third forth*. : working expenses and distribution, or the equivalent, which Is about the average discount. My object in writing 'f-f 11' call attention to th.c extreme legislat on on the part of. the Government, wniciv will most certainly interfere with botl? public and private enterprise. Their action m connection with the Chamber or Commerce is a disgrace to the. members who allowed the Bill to pass. The labour legislation, which was discussed the ovnei. evening, will most certainly prevent inaUSj , tries being established in our midst..-*; am, etc., * COLONIST* H [The system of trading stamps has beeiVyi legislated against in many of the United^ States.—Ed.'E.S.]