ENGLISH CHEMISTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 257, 27 September 1935, Page 16

ENGLISH CHEMISTS.

CHAIN STORE ORGANISATION. Concern at the possibility of an English firm of chemists opening chain stores in the Dominion is expressed in a petition presented to the House of Representatives by Mr' J. W. Munro yesterday on behalf of the Dunedin Retail Chemists’ Assistants’ Union. Attention is drawn by the petitioners, to the report that Boots Chemists, Ltd., intend to open retail stores in New Zealand, and it is pointed out that this firm has 1100 chain stores in Great Britain and possesses enormous capital. It is submitted that the introduction of these chain stores in New Zealand would be detrimental to the interests of the people of the Dominion as it would tend to increase unemployment among chemists. Already, they say, there are 600 chemists with 2000 assistants in New Zealand, representing £500,000 or more of capital, a good many qualified chemists arc unemployed, and a large proportion of those in business just 'managed to carry on during 'lie depression years. The petitioners suggest the introduction of effective legislation to protect traders iiom competition of this nature, and express the opinion that if one mult.ple store organisation is allowed to commence operations in New Zealand others will follow.

The petition was referred to the Industries and Commerce Committee.