H.P. inquiry urged

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33654, 2 October 1974, Page 11

H.P. inquiry urged

Hire-purchase business methods need to be investigated to protect the person who becomes unwisely committed, says the Rev. M. L. Goodall, the Anglican City Missioner in Christchurch, in the mission’s annual report. “Many we meet at the mission find hire-purchase a trap. Too often, those with poor work records, a history of psychiatric treatment and unstable domestic situations are able, and encouraged to enter into hire-purchase agreements,” says Mr Goodall. “These are beyond their capacity, and the resultant repossession confirms their status in our society as noncopers. “Recent legislation goes some way towards controlling the door-to-door salesman. Perhaps we need to look further at our business methods in hire-purchase fields.” Mr Goodall says that advertising contributes to dishonesty. “Advertising that promises so much if we possess certain material things, associated with the display of goods which almost incites shoplighting, surely contributes to dishonesty.”