CASH CUSTOMERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 69, 20 March 1908, Page 5

CASH CUSTOMERS.

THE COUPON SYSTEM. HOW BAKERS ARE VICTIMISED. "It is simply a cruel shame, the way the bakers are victimised," said a leading member of the trade to a "Star" representative this morning. "Thousands go in bad debts, and we lose more than any other line of business I know of. A certain class of people look upon tho baker as 'fair game,' and the credit system prevails to such an extent that hitherto it has been almost impossible for those in the bread business t~- -protect themselves. , ' With a view to ascertaining what the feeling is in Auckland regarding the proposal emanating from the conference recently held in Wanganui favouring the installation of a cash system, a "Star" representative this morning made enquiries amongst some of the leading members of the trade. CHEAPER BREAD FOR THE PUBLIC. Mr. John Burton, prfeateiit of tife Auckland Master Bakers Association, spoke very strongly in favoar of the introduction of the cash system. He considers it is the only satisfactory way in which the interests of the baker can be safeguarded, and at the same time he believes that in the long run the innovation will be most satisfactory to the public. Nest week a meeting of those interested will be held, and the subject will then be thrashed out, and some decision arrived at regarding the system. In Mr. Burton's opinion, the cash system is likely to come into vogue. It has worked satisfactorily in the South, and he sees no reason why it should not be introduced in Auckland with equal success.

Asked were the bakers very often victimised in Auckland, Mr. Burton replied there was no known device which was not I practised on those in the trade. One difficulty the bakers had to contend with was the frequency with which husbands, when confronted by the collector, expressed their astonishment that biljs were owing. Incompetent housekeeping would be one of the evils dispensed with once the new system was inaugurated, and in the long run, in his opinion, it would mean cheaper bread for the public. THE COUPON SI STEM. Mr. J. Gardiner, who Mm* just returned from the Wanganui conference, where he acted as a delegate from the Auckland I Association, is another warm advocate lof the cash system. In Gisborne, accord- ! ing to Mr. Gardiner, the system is working splendidly. Yet previous to its inauguration the sum standing against the Gisborne bakers in bad debts totaled £5000. While in the South the Auckland delegate personally investigated the working of the scheme, and expresses bin self as highly satisfied with the results. The coupon system is workingmost satisfactorily. It is not always convenient for the house-wife to have the exact sum of money handy each day, so she buys a dozen coupons at a time, I and then, instead of chasing for her i purse, or looking for small change, she J gives a coupon for each loaf. l ''What happens if by any chance the J housekeeper is not at home?" '■In the case of such a contingency, the j man leaves the bread as usual; if it happens two days running, he leaves the bread each day; but on the third day he follows instructions, and no bread is left." '"Supposing the family's breadwinner is ill, what then?" I ''Provision is also made for such a eonj tingeney ao that, and permission is grant- | cd by the executive committee to exempt I a man who is laid up, provided he is known to be respectable, or a deserving case." "Will the cash system work in Auckland?" '■\es, once the pGople are educated up to it,' , was the reply. "If a person contemplates riding on a tram he never goes without the money for his fare, and the same applies to the housekeeper who wants bread. Besides, once the system is in vogue, it means that bread will be considerably cheaper than it is at present." THE SYSTEM IN VOGUE. The proprietor of a cash business was next interviewed. Most of his business is done over the counter for cash, and only customers who have been dealing for years are allowed credit. The result is that although the turnover of the baker in question averages £450 per month, he had only one bad debt last year, and that was £8 for a wedding cake and small goods. Die excellence of the cash system is, therefore, demonstrated, and the baker interviewed expressed the opinion that the whole of the bakery business in Auckland could very easily be conducted on the cash system. It is not generally known that a collector is appointed by all the bakers to collect moneys due, and that part of his duty is to compile a monthly bulletin, which is published and issued to every baker, giving the names and addresses of those people who are regarded as "bad marks." This, however, does not save the baker from being victimised, and it is believed that the meeting to be held next week will adopt the cash and coupon system for Auckland.