“UNFAIR AND UNFOUNDED”

Evening Star, Issue 23292, 14 June 1939, Page 8

“UNFAIR AND UNFOUNDED”

STATEMENT AT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING NO VICTIMISATION OF TRADERS BY DEPARTMENT [Pbk United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH. June 14. " There are rumours about town that firms that say anything are victimised by the department and that their fruit supplies are cut off.” Exception to this remark, made by Mr V. B. Hamilton at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on May 4, has been taken up by the Director of Internal Marketing (Mr F. R. Picot), who said to-day that as this remark was made in reference to the administration of his department he took considerable exception to so unfair and "unfounded a statement being made. “ I am happy to state_ that the panel of fruit brokers in Christchurch, both individually and collectively, share with me in that indignation, and their association has been in communication with the Chamber of Commerce,” said Mr Picot. “ I have made it a practice to solicit the co-operation in all ways from selling agents of this department, and have endeavoured to arrange working conditions that would prove to be as congenial as possible between the distributors and the department. 1 accordingly communicated with the Chamber of Commerce and asked for an explanation as to what foundation Mr Hamilton had in making such a statement, and in due course Mr Hamilton called upon me and after thoroughly discussing the matter he assured me that he would right the position.”

Mr Picot added that he had now received a reply from the Chamber _ of Commerce in - which he was advised that Mr Hamilton in open council had reported the result of his interview with the Director of Internal Marketing, and Mr Hamilton had stated he was convinced from the evidence submitted to him there was no question of there having been any victimisation of any trader by the department.