FEAR OF BOOTS

Grey River Argus, 8 May 1936, Page 5

FEAR OF BOOTS

CHAIN STORES 1 N.Z. Pharmacy Ventures (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 7. The first of the evidence for and against flic system of chain pharmacies, recently started in New Zealand, was to-day heard by the Industries and Commerce Committee of the House of .Representatives. There are about. 12 witnesses to be called, and the inquiry i into the position, as it affects both sides, is expected to occupy two or three sittings of the Committee. Mr. W. J. Jordan. M.P., Chairman of the Committee, presided, and the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. 11. G. Sullivan, was present. Evidence on the petitions presented to Parliament was given, and it was urged that no new companies be allowed to commence business as pharmaceutical chemists, either solely or in conjunction with other businesses. After hearing the witnesses the committee, adjourned until next Wednesday. Mr. W. J. Jordan presided. Mr. F. C. Spratt, for the Pharmaceutical Society, said the question the Committee had to face was whether the modern system of chain store distribution was applicable to the pharmacy business. The majority of chemists could not economically dispense prescriptions at the rates charged by Boots. The Society stood for the principle of a fair reward for honest service.

Herbert James Stanley Rickard, president of the Pharmacy Board, said the opinion of the profession had always been that the business of pharmacy should be conducted by natural persons, duly qualified, and not by companies or artificial persons. All the profession asked was to be allowed to dispense prescriptions at reasonatble charges, and that the Board be given additional powers to enable it to regulate prices, and deal with any complaints about overcharging. In asking for protection, the chemists referred only* to that part of their business consisting of prescription work. They raised uo objection to competition in the sale of proprietary articles or general merchandise. Waller Kingsford lloiinsell. manager of the Friendly Societies’ Dispensary, Auckland, said a recent, survey of Auckland showed that seventeen assistants’ positions were in jeopardy if Boots commenced business in that