SHOPKEEPERS’ COMPETITION

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 51, 23 November 1929, Page 10

SHOPKEEPERS’ COMPETITION

GLOOMY VIEWS EXPRESSED Dominion Special Service. Auckland, November 22. Cut-rate trading was discussed wtih much feeling at a meeting of city shopkeepers last night A gloomy view of the position was expressed by a city tailor. “The tailoring trade is being murdered by competition from the factory system. It is my belief that the Introduction of cutthroat methods from America will spell ruin to those men who by industry and perseverance have established a legitimate trade. The employment of cheap labour as a means of cutting prices is manifestly unfair and calls for Government action,” he declared. A Queen Street fruiterer said that the price-cutting and over-keen competition was driving the buying public into scavenging for goods. The Auckland public was the most discriminating in New Zealand, and an Aucklander would walk a mile to save a penny.”

“Those in the tobacco and cigarette trade are feeling the cut-rate pinch more than anybody else,” said a tobacconist “The Government was approached, but we received a reply that as the policy of the Government was less interference in business, no recommendations could be made. The interest of the Government lies with the big man, and the small retailers must look out for themselves. I know of one city store that employs young girls to stand behind counters at a wage of 10/- per week,” he added.

A representative of the grocery trade thought that a stand should be taken against quantity discounts unless it was known that they were not to be used for price-cutting. The discounts that were being offered were absurd. The suggestion that small shopkeepers were profiteering was without foundation. Every business man was entitled to a fair margin of profit, and the Government had power to stop profiteering. Prize and coupon schemes, which were conducted for the benefit of the few at the expense of the many, should also be fought. It was decided to form a committee to make arrangements for a mass meeting of city shopkeepers to consider more fully the question and to decide on some course of action.