RETAIL MINIMA

Evening Star, Issue 21722, 17 May 1934, Page 7

RETAIL MINIMA

THE TOBACCO AGREEMENT (Per United Press AssocuTion.J AUCKLAND, May 16. Cigarette and tobacco prices at cutrate stores have been increased to conform with the schedule of the minimum retail prices which lias been fixed by the tobacco manufacturers and agents. The increases range up to 2d per 2oz tin of tobacco. The stores whose prices are not lower than those fixed in the schedule were not obliged to ‘make any alteration. in connection with the list .of minimum retail prices arranged in Wellington last month to deal with extreme price cutting there, it was suggested that the plan should 'be extended throughout the’dominion, and with the addition of further brands this had now been done In addition to fixing the minimum retail price it is also decreed that the giving away by a retailor of matches, cigarette papers (not already packed in tins by the maiuitacturersj, cash coupons, or any other articles with cigafottes and, tobacco will bo regarded as equivalent to selling below the fixed minimum prices Tim practice of offering, cigarettes lor sale in combination with other articles, lor example, offering for sale as one parcel a packet of cigarettes and a lighter, will also be regarded as equivalent to selling below the fixed minimum prices. The scheme involves cigarette and tobacco lines made or handled by twenty manufacturers and agents operating in New Zealand.