COMMERCIAL TRUSTS ACT

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 1 March 1933, Page 9

COMMERCIAL TRUSTS ACT

TOBACCO EXEMPTION' PTE A. COMMITTEE UNFAVOURABLE. (By Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, Feb. 28. The Industries and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives reported on 75 petitions asking for the removal of tobacco, cigars and cigarettes from the schedule of the Commercial Trusts 1 Act. The committee stated that in view of the fact that the Commercial Trusts Act had been passed for the purpose of protecting the public a,s well as retailers against fixation of prices by monopoly interests, it was unanimously of the opinion that the prayer of the petition should not he granted. The committee, however, was of the opinion that the Government. should make representations _ to all .sections of the trade with a view to establishing more equitable trading conditions. Mr J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn) described the report as a “yes-rio” 011 Mr A. Harris (Co., Waitemlata) said that while the committee felt_ every sympathy for the .small retailer it was felt that by a process of evolution the day of the small trader, even in the case" of the tobacco trade, was fast disappearing. Mr M. J. Savage (Lab.. Auckland West) said the members of the committee had been unanimous in the opinion that tobacco should not be removed from the schedule, because it was felt that to allow a monopoly of interests to govern prices and conditions should be no guarantee that retailers would obtain any benefit, while the consumers' would ultimately suffer as a result of the unduly bigli prices which the retailers would 1 he powerless to avoid. The same unanimity had not obtained when it came to supplying an alternative, although all members had been anxious to assist the retailers, who were obviously in a bad way through price-cutting. Mr Savage expressed the opinion that there appeared to be only one alternative, namely, for the Government to lav down conditions of trade that would allow the retailer to live.

Mr S. G. Smith (Co., _ New Plymouth) expressed the opinion that the retailers would not have been assisted if the prayer of the petition had been granted. He had every sympathy with the .small trader, hut could not see how he could have benefited.

The report was 1 tabled. The Industries and Commerce Committee, reporting on proposals referred to it relating to the manufacture of nitrates, expressed the opinion that no company or organisation should he granted a monopoly. The report was tabled.