R.S.A. OBJECTS TO CO-OP. STORES’ MONOPOLY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22759, 4 October 1948, Page 6

R.S.A. OBJECTS TO CO-OP. STORES’ MONOPOLY

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 30. Strong objection to the monopoly which co-operative stores continue to enjoy in State housing areas was voiced in a statement unanimously approved by the Hutt Valley R.S.A- executive on Tuesday night. The meeting appointed a deputation to discuss the matter with the member for Hutt, Mr. W. Nash. It was decided also to send a copy of its statement to the member for Onslow, Mr. H. E. Combs, and the member for Petone, Mr. M. Moohan. The executive expressed its intention to do all in its power to get the monopoly removed so that men, many of whom had taken special training f<?r the purpose, should be free to start in business where and when they likedThough the question of co-operative stores appeared to have become a semipolitical one, the executive had no right to avoid any issue which seriously affected members because of the possibility of a few misunderstanding its motives, the statement said.

It seemed that the merits of cooperative stores themselves was in no way a political question. What was political was the monopoly given to them by the State. This monopoly, excluding the association’s members from legitimate trading, was a problem that had to be faced.

The matter was vital and_ urgent in view of the apparent decision to give new shops in Taita to co-opera-tive stores.