CORRESPONDENCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 63, 1 March 1929, Page 9

CORRESPONDENCE

[t must be distinctly under stood that we are not to be identified with the opinions expressed by correspondents in out columns. BITUMENISING HASTINGS ROADS. (To the Editor. 1 ) Sir, —Could you please inform me why that stretch of road m Avenue road between Warren street and Hastings street, a total distance of about one hundred and fifty yards, has not been sealed. The surrounding streets, namely, Warren street, Hastings street, St. Aubyn street and Queen street, have all been laid out in bitumen. Is this portion of Avenue road not regarded as equally busy a centre as St. Aubyn street, being more central, or is it a matter of making fish of one and flesh of another?—l am, etc.. ONE WHO PAYS MY RATE ON FIRST DEMAND. Hastings, 26/2/29. The council has only a certain amount to spend on this work and so a traffic tally of various streets was taken. The stretch alluded to had the lowest tally of these roads. It was decided that the roads with the highest tallies would be done first. However, the length alluded to will be linked up when the other streets are completed, provided there is sufficient money—Ed. H.B T, MASTER GROCERS’ FEDERATION Sir, —My executive having had its attention drawn to a notice to the public which was conspicuously displayed in your town, deem it only fair to the N.Z. Master Grocers’ Federation to repudiate the statement made. The statement was as follows;— “Notice to the Public.—The Master Grocers’ Association are bent on fixing and raising the price of groceries •_ stand between you and the rise in the cost of living. We were the only grocers in Hawke's Bay who fought the P.A.T.A. Support us and save money.’’ I have to state that during the conference proceedings no mention whatever was made as to raising the price of groceries. At tho same time it is only right that the public should know that the Federation stands solidly for fair and honest trading. The Federation has always recognised the necessity of differentiating in prices having regard to what is known as the “cash and carry” grocer and the grocer who renders service and gives limited credit. At the same time it steadfastly sets its face - against a growing practice of misleading the n ublic by selling goods at or below cost, or at such a price as does not make possible the payment of working expenses. Under existing conditions wages as fixed by varying awards have to be paid, and the trade as represented by the N.Z. Master Grocers’ Federation i s anxious to make possible not merely the payment of a bare minimum wage, but at the same time giving reasonable encouragement to employees who take an active interest in their work. Relative to increasing the cost of living, the public sometimes fail to realise that this may he brought about just as readily b- charging too low as by charging too high a price for commodities. During the last few years there have been mqny instances of price cutters having io close business because unable to pay their creditors in full, and the loss sustained has finally to be borne by the general public. Finally, I would respectfully submit the purposes for which tho Federation exists to-day:

(1) To promote, jrfoteet,, and raise the standard of the retail grocery traide of New. Zealand. (2) For uniting retail grocers to stand by tho cause of honest and fair trading.

(3) To protect the trade and its customers against unfair legislation. (4) To consider ways and means whereby overhead expenses can be reduced, thus delivering goods to the consumer at the lowest possible price.

(5) To develop the trade so that ft will be universally recognised as a profession requiring education, training and study. (6) To encourage commercial education in schools, colleges and universities, in order that all business may lie conducted efficiently and the maximum of service rendered to the publie. In view of the above the public will readilv form its own conclusions, and will not be mislect by statements to which reference has been made m this letter. —I am. etc., J. HEATON BARKER, Secretary Master Grocers’ Federation Auckland, 27/2/29.