Housewife’s View

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 66, 11 December 1930, Page 13

Housewife’s View

Sir, —I notice in Wednesday's “Dominion” that the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce decided to arrange a deputation to the Government to protest against the continuance of the gift schemes, and also in the following morning’s paper that your representative had called on two jewellers, and received from them most harrowing reports as to the dreadful effect these gift schemes are having on their businesses. Now, Sir, I would suggest your representative calls upon a number of housewives in this city, and ask their opinions. He, I am sure, would find the gift scheme, something the housewives and others that pay cash for their goods have been looking for, for many years. Is it not a fact that the well-to-do can go to the big stores, run up a monthly account, and pay same by cheque after deducting 2} per cent;, whereas the poor person who is compelled to pay cash receives nothing; neither does he or she receive goods any cheaper, although eash be paid. It is just about time some such system as these gift schemes came into force. As I write, beside me stands a jar with my collection of coupons for the last week, ' and I am endeavouring to collect enough to .receive something I need, which I see in a gift catalogue. How many hundreds of women in Wellington are doing the same? It is all very fine for the wealthy members of the Chamber of Commerce (some of whom were accompanied by their wives) to meet on the top of Mount Cook, and discuss taking away from their poorer neighbours the only means they have of obtaining in a small way, what others obtain simply because they or their husbands can afford to run a monthly account. If these members can afford to hold their meetings at Mount Cook, surely they can afford to allow their lyss favoured neighbours this little boon that has come their way. It is up to the womenfolk to see that they get their coupons, because if the well-to-do people are allowed their own way, we would be the losers to their advantage.—l am, etc., ECONOMICAL HOUSEWIFE. Wellington, December 2.