Quick Change To Decimals

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31248, 21 December 1966, Page 3

Quick Change To Decimals

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 20. The second largest food retail organisation in New Zealand, the Independent Grocers’ Alliance, will advise its 650 members in the Auckland province and Wanganui to make a quick change-over to decimal currency.

The recommendation is expected to be extended to the South Island members of 1.G.A., whose total membership is 1100 grocers. The Four Square Co-operat-ive, the largest food retail business in this country, has endorsed the principle of a

quicker change where possible.

Both organisations made statements today after a statement by the Under-Sec-retary of Finance (Mr Muldoom) on a national radio and television programme on Sunday night. Mr Muldoon said the I.G.A. group held the same view as some chain stores and opposed an immediate change to decimal currency trading. “I am surprised Mr Muldoon did not carefully check his facts beforehand,” said Mr N. S. Rackham, director and manager of the grocery division of I.G.A. “He was wrong on two counts.”

Mr Rackham said that all stores in the I.G.A. group were independently owned and, unlike chain stores where managers followed management directions, they were in a position to make their own decision on the change-over question. “However, I do agree that

group headquarters does have the ability to guide members towards a common policy," he said.

“Secondly, the policy being recommended by group headquarters is to effect a quick change-over, and not to await conversion of cash registers before trading in decimals. “We are supporting the sec-retary-manager of the Auckland Retailers’ Association, Mr R. M. Barker, in his view on this matter and have told him this long ago.” Mr Rackham said a big proportion of members had already ordered decimal equipment to enable a quick change and to ensure that those members of the public who wanted dockets at check-out counters could have them in decimals. “We have no reason to believe that this equipment will not be available.” Mr Rackham said he disagreed with Mr Muldoon’s view that retailers making an

early change-over would lose business. He firmly believed the opposite would be true. “In my opinion, a quick change will be appreciated by the buying public, and we will continue to recommend this programme to those of our members who have not yet made up their minds.” Mr P. A. Barker, managing director of Foodstuffs Auckland, Ltd., the headquarters of Four Square Stores, said no decision had been made by his organisation to change to decimal currency in accordance with the zoning programme.

“The Four Square national organisation has endorsed the principle of a quicker change-over where possible, believing this to be in the best interests of the buying public.” Four Square had also endorsed the practicability of key-top conversion, he said. “However, Four Square is not a chain, but a group of privately-owned stores, and although the organisation will be making recommendations each member will be making his own decision.

“Some members have purchased new machines and will convert to decimals shortly after the change-over irrespective of the zoning programme.”