CONGRATULATED.

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

CONGRATULATED.

MANUKAU'S MEMBER. CHAIN-STORE REPORT. WORK OF CHAIRMAN. (IJy Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The chairman or the Industries and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives, Mr. W. J. Jordan (Government, Manukau), came in for many congratulations in the House yesterday for the manner in which he had conducted the important investigation associated with the numerous petitions dealing with chain store pharmacy business. The full report of the committee and its recommendations were published in the "Auckland Star" yesterday. In moving the adoption of the report, Mr. Jordan said the committee had met day after day and had heard interesting evidence, to which close attention had been paid.

It was shown Ky the evidence that prices for medicines varied considerably not only between eeveral chemists but with the eame chemiet from time to time. There was also shown to exist considerable unemployment in the profession, and low wages and the business generally was shown to be in a precarious position. The committee had inquired thoroughly into the operations of Boots, Ltd., and .sought to know more about the firm. It had British capital, and the firm was recognised as being a good one. Boots were good employers and were an efficient and enterprising firm. Boots were ably represented at the inquiry by competent representatives of the firm, and witnesses were examined

from Great Britain, Australia and several parts of the Dominion. The eeveral interests concerned in the inquiry were ably represented by learned counsel, and undoubtedly the case was thoroughly presented, and he felt sure the evidence was closely followed by every member of the committee. Ifle Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Sullivan) and officers of the Industries and Commerce Department were present during the proceedings and helped the committee greatly. It wae admitted by the committee, Mr Jordan continued, that an improvement must be made in the profession, and that was why the committee recommended that the profession be given six months to put its house in order to the satisfaction of ttie Government. If that were not done the committee recommended that the Minister have power to ensure a satisfactory service for the people. The committee realised that it wae an important matter and that the health of the people was the concern of the State. It was not a matter in which there should be speculation or undue profits made. The committee, said Mr. Jordan, looked to the Government to bring forward a comprehensive health insurance system that would include the pharmaceutical services of the coiuitry. It felt sure that the matter would continue to have, as it had had throughout the proceedings of the committee, the close attention of the Minister of Industries ancj Commerce.