HISTORY TRACED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 252, 23 October 1936, Page 8

HISTORY TRACED.

GROCERY TRADE IN N.Z. VALUE OF "CHAIN" BUSINESSES. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The statement that any alteration in the existing policy of chain stores of | serving the public with a multiplicity of commodities 'would be upsetting not only to the traders themselves, but also to the community as a whole, was made by Mr. I. A. Oliver, manager of Marriott's Stores, Auckland, and vicepresident of the Chain Grocery Stores' Association, in evidence before the chain store inquiry to-day.

Mr. Oliver went back to the origin of the grocery trade in New Zealand, stating that the first retail businesses were general stores situated in scattered communities. Such stores were universal providers. He suggested that instead of specialised businesses complaining that storekeepers competed with them unfairly, the former might complain of the inroads made into their turnover by the specialised trader.

The speaker traversed a wide field of evidence in giving the point of view of his and similar firms. He said that chain grocers had filled a public heed. They had lowered prices when purchasing pow.er was low. They had assisted local manufacturers to put their goods on the market. Also, they provided employment at standard rates— Mr. Oliver stressed the point that wages paid were standard—and gave increased opportunity for many employees who, through lack of capital or business ability, could not set themselves up in business. The stores, too, were controlled by experts with a thorough knowledge of the grocery business, while they stocked good quality goods. Mr. Oliver denied the necessity for a regulation of chain stores. It would be tantamount to placing a tax on the essentials of life. The operation of many companies, while styled "chain," were really branch retail stores providing the maximum service at a minimum cost.