FIRMS COMBINE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1942, Page 4

FIRMS COMBINE

MEETING THE EMERGENCY

Man-power, petrol, and vehicles all being at a high premium in the present emergency, a notable economy in their use has been effected in the Wellington district. This has taken the form of Combined Distributors, an association incorporating wholesale handlers of butter, cheese, eggs, and other produce to retail and other distributors. The firms in the combine are the National Dairy Association, Internal Marketing Division, J. B. MacEwan and Co., Ltd., J. Nathan and Co. (N.Z.), Ltd., Dominion Distributors, Produce Traders, Ltd., Turners and Growers, JV C. Hutton (N.Z.), Ltd., and F. N. R. Meadows and Son. Recognising the position brought about by shortage of petrol, impressment of motor vehicles, and the heavy call on man-power for defence purposes, the above-named firms have agreed to set aside their own interests^ to meet emergency conditions. This action has involved the sacrifice of goodwill (built up over a great many years), individual brands, and trade marks of lines handled, and the severing (for the time being) of long-estab-lished and valued connections with retail distributors.

The combination of their interests was discussed by those concerned and then with the Minister of Marketing (Mr. Barclay) on December 16, and came into operation six days later. No time was wasted. Some inconvenience to retailers was inevitable while the scheme was being got under way, but this is now disappearing and the service of butter and eggs to Wellington retailers will now be prompt and efficient.

Combined Distributors is not a Government organisation, although the Internal Marketing Division is an associate. Its object is solely to meet emergency conditions by the economic use of such petrol, vehicles, and manpower as are available and cutting out overlapping of every description. Mr. Colin Monro (J. C. Hutton, N.Z., Ltd.) is chairman. .