ITINERANT TRADERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 20, 20 December 1932, Page 4

ITINERANT TRADERS

MEASURES FOR CONTROL. With a view to controlling itinerant traders, the Palmerston North City Council last evening decided to adopt a by-law containing numerous conditions:-

The provisions include:—(a) “itinerant trader” shall mean and include | any person who, not having been continuously resident in the city for a period of at least three months immediately previously or not having entered into a binding lease in writing of his business premises for a period of at least three calendar months, carries on or engages in any business in the city involving the sale or exposure for sale. (b) No itinerant trader shall sell or offer or expose for sale any goods, wares or merchandise whatsoever in any part of the city until he shall be tho holder of a license authorising him so to do. (c) Every such license shall remain in force for a term of one year from the date of issue thereof and no longer. (d) For every such license there shall l)e paid to the council before the issue of such license the sum of £5. (c) If during tire continuance of any license the licensee named therein shall l>e paid to the council before the issue of such license the sum of £5. (el Tf during the continuance of any license the licensee named therein shall remain continuously in business in the city for a period of 1 not less than six months the license I fee paid by him in respect of the li(censo in force during such period shall ' l>o refunded. It is intended that the by-law shall not apply to any person selling or exposing for sale goods of any descrip- | tion within the Palmerston North Showgrounds during the period of any Show conducted by the A. and P. Association.

“I would like to be quite sure that ! the council is acting quite wisely in |dealing with this question of itiner- | ant traders,” stated Cr. W. B. Camjeron. “It seems that wo will be in- ! fiicting a hardship upon landlords land will be demanding that any pre- ! mises occupied must be leased. An.vI one coming to the city to start busiI ness will have to find a license fee oi j£s and ho will have to enter into a ! lease of the premises for three months, j If that is not restriction of business I would like to know what is. It has I l>een said that our traffic by-laws are ! driving business to Pahiatua and j Feilding.” I Cr. J. Hodgens opposed the recomj mendation on the ground that it in- : terfered with the competitive system I of trade. “While I did not introduce the ori- ’ ginal measure, I feel that it is in the interests of the small retailer,” stated Cr. H. B. Free. “Landlords are hoping to secure their rents by reason of increased business in the shops at Christmas. This is a by-law that is wanted and I am emphatically of the opinion it will not cost the consumer one penny piece.”

Cr. Hodgens moved that the matter be referred back for consideration to the special by-laws committee which had brought it forward, and Cr. Cameron seconded this motion, but it was lost, only these two councillors recording their votes in favour of it.