TOBACCO TRADE

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 865, 11 July 1910, Page 5

TOBACCO TRADE

ORGANISATION PROFOSAUS. REPLY TO CRITICISM. In the "Ghristchureh Press" of Thursday last appeared an article in which ridicule is cast upon the recentlyinitiated attempt of Dominion tobacconists to organise their trade aud guard themselves against what they regard as illegitimate competition. Seen by a Dominion' representative, Mr. J. ft. Speed, president of the Tobacconists' Association, said emphatically that tho article displayed from first to last an absolute ignorance of the true state of jufairs. If the writer had taken the trouble to compare his notes with tho iuli and correct details published in the Wellington papers, he would have writit'ii -in a. very different strain. Dealing in luitail. with .statements contained m the "Press" article, Mr. Speed said tho allegation that tobacconists proposed k> interfere with'hotds and clubs was absolutely unfounded. Such a tiling had ucvor been considered by them at all. Again, tobacconists had no intention of asking that members of the trade should be licensed. This was clearly stated in reports on tho conference with tho Hon. J. A. Millar. Hours of business for tobacconists aro already fixed by statute, and in instancing this provision as a new demand l>y the tobacconists, Mm "Press" shows itself sadly behind Urn times. "The article states," said Mr. Speed, "that in very low instances was this matter taken seriously by Christciiurch tradesmen who wore interviewed. Well, here is a straight proposition! In. the Empire City today we have forty tobacconists who liavß signed the rules and regulations of tlie Wellington Tobacconists' Association. The recent conference was attended by twenty-tivo delegates from all parts of New Zealand. All were most uuthusiastic in the matter of tho association, and have promised to push it in every possible way. We are in a good position to-day." Tho traders interviewed by the Christ - ohurch pressman, Mr.. Speed remarked, were evidently of the class who sej! tobacco, cigarettes, etc., as a "drag" lino to bring other fish to their nets. (J racers and others sell tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes at prices with which people who depend solely upon these lines cannot possibly compel*:.

•'lt is Ibis unfair and cut-throat competition," 111 , . Speed continued, "with which tho association desires to deal. We want tlic various people who sell tobacco to come into lino with us and ultimately we shall ask them to accept our tariii'. -We have been accused of a desire to get higher prices, and to create ii monopoly, but have no - such intention. Neither have we any intention of attempting to impose arbitrary \restrictions ou any class of traders.

'"At tlio moment," said iUr. Speed, "we have uo proposals at all to lay before the. public. We have simply drawn up the rules and regulations of the New Zealand Association of So-tail Tobacconists. Wo may not is'ssui: a tariff for months, and shall not do so, in any c.aso, uutil all classes of tratiera interested have been approached. The matter of regulating the trado must first be fully discussed, and a proper arrangement made. We have already arranged that a deputation representing the association shall wait upon the Chinese Consul, and another upon the Grocers' Association."

Mi - . Speed declares himself unable to understand the hostile attitude of grocers, as reported in the "Press." They sliould, in his opinion, be just as eager as tobacconists to obtain a fair standard price for tobacco. As to hours they can have nothing to fear, for already tobacconists arc empowered to keep open latur than croowe, both on ivci'li nights trad on Saturdays, and can have no motivo for suggesting an alteration of hours. Grocers and tobacconists, in Mr. Speed's opinion, have a common grievanco against Chinese traders, and might very well combine amicably to place the trade in tobacco upon a properly regulated fooling. Tho writer of the "Press" article makes a strong point of an alleged intention on the part of tobacconists to interfere with clubs. Mr. Speed was forcible in repudiating, any such intention on the part, of the associated tobacconists. "A club," lie said, "ia a man's eaafclo, his homo, and it would be absolutely ridiculous to attempt in any way to interfere with tho arrangements members make in obtaining supplies. Tho Tobacconists' Association has never meditated any such idiotic attempt, and tho Cbristehiircb writer, in suggesting it, only betrays his ignorance. He is wrong in details, too, as when lio says it is not possible to make much profit out of cigars. To bo candid, the profit on cigars is one of the things that 'makes up for tho small profit on tobacco. "The association made no advances to hotelkeepors. but the. New Zealand Licensed Victuallers' Association, on its own initiative, asked that the sale of tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes, iu open bars, shoi!!d bo forbidden, and t-hiit-these articles should bo stocked only -for tho-convenjenoe of-cnest«.-"

In conclusion, Mr. Speed remarked that the "Press" reporter hid obviously uncovered a "mare's nest." Tnero wua no intention oil the part uf iho tobuo; conists to create a dose corporation, harass other traders, or establish a monopoly. Simply, a well-organised attempt was being made to sbieJd tho trade from the destructive operation of illegitimate- competition. AH interested in the retail sale of tobacco would be invited to formulate a just and equitable working agreement, and any attempt to cast ridicule on the proceeding necessarily recoiled on the heads of those from whom it emanated.