CHAIN STORES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 136, 10 June 1936, Page 11

CHAIN STORES.

PHARMACY BUSINESS. VIEWS OF MEMBERS. RECOMMENDATION APPROVED (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Practically the whole of this afternoon's sitting of the House of Representatives was devoted to a discussion on the report of the Industries and Commerce Committee on the petitions presented to Parliament by chemists and others against the development of the chain store system in the pharmacy business. Mr. T. H. McCombe (Government, Lyttelton) suggested that the' Government should give consideration to the nttftude adopted by the Pharmaceutical Society towards students from State schools and the universities. A pass standard was set by the society for the students of 50 per cent, while the students attending private college in Wellington were allowed a pass if they obtained 40 per cent. Mr. E. J. Howard (Government, Christchurch South): Who conducts the examinations? Mr. McCombe: The Pharmaceutical Society. I hope the Government will see to it that State students are allowed to compete on equal terms. Continuing, Mr. McCombs made reference to the charges made by chemists for prescriptions. He mentioned one containing sixpence worth , of aspirin and ninepence worth of hydrogen peroxide for which a chemist wanted to charge 7/0. Mr. H. S. Kyle (National, Riccarton): He must have known who you were. Veterinary Surgeons. "I have no doubt veterinary charges are similarly disproportionate," replied Mr. McCombs. This reference to Mr. Kyle'e profession tvas appreciated by the House. Mr. McCombs said that the average chemicals in a prescription did not, cost, more than sixpence, including the bottle and the label. The charges to the public should be reduced. Mr. S. G. Holland (National, Christchurch North) congratulated Mr. Jordan on the manner he had conducted the inquiry. All sides had been given ample opportunity to state their case. He was satisfied that as a result of the inquiry the chemists of the Dominion would be able to offer a better service to the community than they had given in the past and at improved remuneration to themselves. As they had employed an expert to investigate their costs it could b-; said that they knew more about their business now than formerly and they would be able in the future to give improved service to the consumer at lower prices. He was opposed to the committee's recommendation that there should be a national pharmaceutical eervice. He did not think the time right for such a course. As a result of the "stocktaking" that had taken place the Pharmaceutical Society would be able to make proposals acceptable to the country. Incapable of a Fight. Mrs. A. S. Richards (Government, Roskill) said the profession had not been operating as it should have been. It was apparent that the industry had felt that it was not capable of fighting an organisation as strong as the one it found itself up against. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (National, Riccarton) asked why Boots, Ltd., would not go into towns which had a population less than 10,000. Did they contemplate coming to New Zealand for the benefit of the people? They came to extend their profits. Chemists were giving a good service to the people and would be disappointed with the report.. Mr. W. T. Anderton (Government, Eden) thought the report fair. It met the situation adequately. The Pharmaceutical Society would be pleased with the report, as it gave them protection. Mr. H. Atmore (Independent, Nelson) expressed pleasure at the stay order granted chemists. He believed the Government desired to see fair play given to all parties. National Pharmacy. Mr. C. L. Hunter (Government, Manawatu) thought the clause dealing with a national pharmacy the most important in the report. It would be necessary to have such an organisation to enable a national health service to operate. In the course of a brief reply the chairman of the Industries and Commerce Committee, Mr. Jordan, said that the point an regard to students raised by Mr. McCombs did not come within the scope of the inquiry. It was admitted by chemists that their trade needed to be put in order. The report was adopted. I