COUPON SYSTEM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20863, 15 August 1942, Page 2

COUPON SYSTEM

NON-COMPLIANCE CLAIM WAIROA COMPLAINT Complaints that not all traders in Wairoa were carrying out the coupon system to the letter, with the result that they gained ah unfair advantage over those who were observing the rules scrupulously, were made at a meeting of the Wairoa Retailers’ Association this week. It was stated that the association had communicated with the controller ahd received the reply that certain articles definitely carried coupons and that there had been no alteration in the values. Speakers said that there was a penalty for breaking the rules. The articles concerned also had been displayed in Napier and Hastings shop Windows for sale without coupons. Someone had said that he had been able to buy them in Wellington coupon-free and the story was told in Napier and Hastings, with the result that some of the retailers there and in Wairoa so id without coupons. Such authority had not come from the controller. If that was so, then why did not the Napier price committee inform Wairoa? asked a member. “Is Napier going by rumour or by the Gazette?” There were people who were looking for loopholes so that they could dodge their obligations. They should be brought to heel. Another member: Are we supposed to “police” ourselves and each other? To whom do we look for assistance as to the Carrying out of the ru}es? Mr. Thomas told us to get together and to write to him if information was wanted. There should be somebody in control locally. It was stated that the majority of the traders in Wairoa were following out the coupon system quite fairly, blit others were disregarding it in some ways. I A motion was oassed that the rationing controller be written to and asked Who was the controller in Wairoa and to whom to apply in the event of any breaches of the rules. Discussing the late shopping night, members agreed that they would be wise to keep open on Friday nights as it was more or less a social occasion for people in town. While there was no black-out they need not go into the question of closing.