SALES OF TOBACCO

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 53, 31 August 1925, Page 8

SALES OF TOBACCO

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

*'LAW OPENLY FLOUTED"-

TOBACCONISTS SEEK IMPOSITION .OF LICENSE FEE.

An influential deputation asked the Minister of Labour this morning to bring down legislation im)nediately, providing for the licensing of tobacconists, and the suppression of illegal sales of tobacco and cigarettes. The Minister stated, in reply, that it was impossible to comply ■with the request this ses- j sion, but he held out some hope of a Bill on the lines suggested, being j introduced next year. With one exception, said Mr, B. L. Hammond, the representative of the New Zealand Employers' Federation, the deputation represented every section of those interested in the tobacco trade; the exception was the law-breaking section of the community. In addition, they had the support of the Wellington Chamber oi Commerce. They wished to make it perfectly clear that they did not seek to restrict the present rights of traders in the sale of tobacco. They merely proposed to suggest a means of enforcing the present law, and they did not ask for any legislation restricting the sale of tobacco. A great deal of illicit trading was going on, in proof of which ho remarked that as a result of police action on a rocent night 16 persons were £ned on 26' charges, amounts aggregating £65, while he understood that, following police inspection on ii subsequent evening, 50 charges were pending against SO other offenders. "It is estimated that something like 15 per cent, of the trade in cigarettes and tobacco," he said, "passes through illegitimate channels or is Bold aftor hours. The law is being openly flouted, and we are asking you to insist upon its enforcement." Magistrates and Judges had condemned the otficers of the Department for being parties to the offence of Eales after hours, and then asking for convictions, and as a result the officers were very reluctant to seek convictions. The deputation suggested that a license fee should be imposed—a nominal sum not exceeding £1. The Minister (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) 1: "How do you suggest that I should get it through the House?" Mr. Hammond: "I really think that it you bring down a Bill providing for licensing you won't meet withany opposition at all. I feel sure not one member ■will be game to oppose a Bill having as its object the licensing of the retailers. To do" so he must be an open champion of the law-breakers.'.' .. Continuing, lie said, that the Labour Party supported the request. Most of the illegal trade •was clone with youths who took pride in the fact that they were breaking the law. It was contended that hotels should continue to have the right to sell to bona fide guests, and the deputation recognised aa'exception. Mr. Hammond remarked tliat the railway bookstalls also must be that he did not think there was a solitary argument against their proposal. It .was suggested in one quarter that if their request was. granted the public would liavo to pay again, but there could be no increased cost to the public. In concht-. fiion, he said, that annual license fees had been instituted in Australia. "AN URGENT DISPENSARY" Mr. J. Myers, representing the Wellington Provincial Wholesale Merchants' Association, said that that body wholeheartedly supported the request, and considered tho retail hours in the trade should be limited. Replying to a question by the Minister, "Mr. J. R- Burley, who appeared on behalf o£ the Wellington Master Grocers' Association, said he could not Eay whether the whole of the grocers throughout the Dominion were in favour of the proposal, but. those of Wellington felt very strongly that illegitimate trade after hours shoufd be suppressed. It was difficult, to. enforce the law as it stood, and things would be facilitated, if a license fee were imposed. ■" The , Wellington Chamber "of Commerce takes.the attitude that they aro really ■ concerned with the principle involved," said Mf.'D.'J. M'Gowan, who represented that body as its president. Tho Minister asked how the chamber thought the after-hours' difficulty could be got over. " I think people would find a way of shopping within legitimate hours.". . Mr. Anderson asked whether they had considered the idea of allowing one place to remain open for those who wonted tobacco.

"An urgent , dispensry," laughingly interjected Mr. Hammond. Mr. M'Gowan: "We have not coneidered that." NO HOPE THIS SESSION Replying to the deputation, the Mm-> ister said he appreciated the force behind the' request.,. . The . .Department, ■would endeavour to carry out clause 6S ol the Act and enForce the law, but he could hold onl no hope whatever of giving effect to their request; this yoav. It would be practically impossible to put through a' l>ill this session, as time would have to be allowed for objections. ■to be heard against it. lie had - had quite a iuimbcr of objections from small shopkeepers who eked out, a» existence in the smaller suburbs of Auckland. They complained that they would practically* be mit out of business. If he was still Minister of Labour next year, and if the GoVevnment still possessed a sufficient majority to enable it to do ivhat was nee'essary in the interests of the country, lie would take the matter into consideration at the beginning of next session. In the meajitime he would lay the matter be'pre Cabinet, but he Jiad just c.s much legislation as he could handle this session.

A NON-CONTENTIOUS BJLL '.' We have to take into consideration, of course," continued the Minister. " those of the public who want tobacco after hours.. (Laughter.) If a Hill is passed, we 1 will have to make provisionJ :a every town for somebody to sell after hens. I think we have quite enough ie-fitrii-tion in trade in this country already/ The small shops are harrassad win] "ucar.iy out of business, and they have just as much right to do business as the largest concerns in the country. Wo must make provision for the sale -o' tobacco in the same way as- we have dene with chemists, "otherwise we wil! never enforce the law." Mr. Hammond asked if the Minister would bring down a Bill this session if the members of the House were lobbied ;rrith a view to securing their support: Mr. Anderson said ho could givo no undertaking so far as this sessiun was concerned.

Mr: Hammond: " We are quite sure we can get 80 per cent, of the members to support the Bill, so that it won't prove contentious." The ■ Minister said he would discuss the matter with his colleagues. He could not give a promise. The deputation was introduced by Mr. Vs. A. "Wright (Wellington Suburbs), and Sir John Luke (Wellington jKcjrlbj' was also p*e£ent 5 "' -:"~-"- "'" ■