CONSUMER SERVICE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29673, 17 November 1961, Page 2

CONSUMER SERVICE

Suggested Report

A suggestion that the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women make moves to institute here a similar radio market report scheme to that already carried out in Auckland, was made on behalf of the New Zealand Consumer Service by the branch’s president (Mrs W. Grant) at the last monthly meeting for 1961 last evening. Outlining the scheme as worked in Auckland, through Station IYA. Mrs Grant called for suggestions from members of the branch’s affiliated organisations to offer volunteers for such work. “One of the biggest handicaps in this organisation would undoubtedly be in obtaining suitable personnel," she said. The value of this scheme could be considerable. Through a short weekly radio report women listeners would be enabled to judge for themselves the quality, quantity and variety of market goods available in the city. Bread Handling Mrs Grant said nothing definite had been decided yet. Members were also asked on the request of the Consumer Service to investigate in Christchurch specific instances of unhygienic bread handling. When sufficient evidence has been collected the association hopes to bring these examples to the attention of the appropriate authorities. Members were asked to make surveys through their organisations of complaints received of some firms selling inferior goods at heavily reduced prices. Articles quoted by Mrs Grant included under-weight toilet rolls and baked beans, hard and unpalatable.