GIFT COUPONS BARRED

Hawera Star, Volume L, 19 December 1930, Page 5

GIFT COUPONS BARRED

GOVERNMENT ISSUES EDICT PROHIBITION IN SIX MONTHS “COST OF LIVING ADDED TO.-’ Li->\ iVD-graiih —Press Association.) U ELLINGTON, Dee.- 18. Ihe Government has decided to proin pit tlie issue of ail forms of trading stamps and trading gift coupons after June 30, 1931, statea t}ie Minister or industries and Commerce, Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, to-day. The necessary regulations will probably lie gazetted next week. I GG . . .j ‘‘During the past few. weeks, said the Minister, “innumerable representations have been made to the Government by organisations of retailers, merchants, manufacturers and traders throughout the Dominion for the suppression of gift coupon schemes in their various forms other than. that system which involves the granting of a percentage discount based on cash or usual credit terms. The Government has carefully considered these representations and investigations made into the matter showed that the operations of trading stamp compapies in New Zealand and the use gpd extension of somewhat similar gift coupon schemes by other trading concerns are uneconomic, that in general they serve no essential purpose in the distribution of commodities and that ultimately the cost of such.. schemes must be borne either wholly or! in. part by the consumer, thus adding to the cost of living. “The Government considers it most undesirable, especially at the present difficult period, that these schemes should lie permitted to- continue. Ordinary discount granted for cash or usual credit terms is not affected by the operation of the regulations about to be issued. Provision is being made for the redemption of trading stamps and gift coupons up to July 31, 1931. which is one" month after the. issue of trading stamps and trading gift coupons must cease. The interests of the general public in this direction are thus being safeguarded as far as possible. Time is being granted to enable them to continue with the. collection of stamps or coupons entitling the holders to gifts of various kinds-.--At the same time the interests of the trading stamp companies and traders fire also being conserved to a. reasonable degree by reason of their being allowed sufficient time in which to' dispose of their stock of gifts.” The Minister added that as far-back as 1908 the Trading Stamps Prohibition and Discount Stamps Issue Act was passed for the purpose of prohibiting in particular schemes similar - to the “Universal” coupon scheme. A flaw had been revealed in that Act and in order that action could be taken without waiting until next session prohibitive regulations were being issued. An amendment of the Act itself would he considered in connection with , the Government’s legislative programme next- session.