National Consumer Council Citizen Members Chosen

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28946, 14 July 1959, Page 3

National Consumer Council Citizen Members Chosen

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 13. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Holloway) has announced the membership of the National Consumer Council, which will comprise nine prominent citizens and the heads of four Government departments or their nominees. The chairman is Mr G. E. Wood, who recently retired from the position of Government statistician. The council is expected to meet soon to determine its immediate programme. Mr Holloway said the committee was fortunate in having the services of a man of the calibre and experience of Mr Wood who had made a special study of prices and the distribution of national income. The Minister added he could think of no-one better qualified to guide the council in its work. The eight other citizen members of the council will ba:— Dr. Muriel E. Bell, of Dunedin. Health Department nutritionist and head of the nutrition section at the School of Medicine, University of Otago. Mrs M. Bullock, of Wellington housewife with seven children, well-known playwright, reviewer and broadcaster. Mrs B. Holt, of Auckland, president of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women, active in women’s consumer and welfare organisations. and mother of four children. Mrs P. Jenkins, of Blenheim, vice-president and past-president lof the Blenheim branch of the

National Council of Women, represents women’s interests on the Standards Council, was formerly technical officer at the Standards Institute specialising in consumer standards, and mother of three children. Mr K. McL. Baxter, of Wellington, secretary of the Federation of Labour, has held office in several Labour organisations and served on many bodies dealing with educational, social and industrial matters. Mr G. H. Sumpter, of Wellington, public relations officer of the New Zealand Manufacturers Federation, has had wide experience in liaison between manufacturers and consumers, and has spent much time studying consumers’ problems. Mrs E. L. G. Tongue, of Christchurch, executive member and secretary of the women’s branch of the Labour Party in Christchurch. Mr D. McColl, of Palmerston North, president and chairman of -the board of Consumers’ Cooperative, Manawatu, Ltd., also chairman of the board of a large department store in the city. Mr Holloway emphasised that the members of the council have been appointed as individuals rather than delegates of particular organisations. They have been chosen for their personal qualities and their fitness to represent all consumers.

The four departments represented on the committee will be the Health and Labour Departments. the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Department of Industries and Commerce.