Tobacco Supplies For Cooperative Shops

Northern Advocate, 28 October 1948, Page 6

Tobacco Supplies For Cooperative Shops

WELLINGTON, Thu. (Sp.).—“lt L a disgrace that a self-avowed Communist running the Orakei Cooperative Society should get nine or ten times the supply of tobacco and cigarettes that an ex-serviceman receives," said Mr W. H. Fortune, (O — Eden) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. He said the society had been allowed 901 b of tobacco and 27,000 cigarettes to celebrate the opening of its premises, while a returned serviceman could get only 101 bof tobacco and 3000 cigarettes.

"I say it is a disgrace," continued Mr Fortunne.

“Our ex-servicemen are being let down all over the country. They are only getting lip service.” The cooperative society could get an increased quota based on potential business, but ex-servicemen could not. It was a matter that should be investigated.

STEEL AND CEMENT Replying to Mr R. M. Algie (O Remuera), who sought justification for the use of considerable quantities of steel and cement in the construction of the Orakei cooperative shops, the Minister of Works |Mr Semple) said an investigation of the plans showed that the structure had been especially designed to avoid as far as possible the use of critical materials. The construction of the building was authorised because it was necessaryin the public interest to provide much needed shopping facilities for the residents of the south-eastern portion of Orakei, where state houses which had been erected for a number of years were still Without reasonable shopping facilities. The Minister of Finance (Mr Nash) said in reply to questions asked by Mr Fortune that- the Government’s policy in the letting of state shops was to give preferenc to consumers cooperative societies, provided they had the support of at least 75 per cent of the residents in the areas concerned and the societies undertook in employing staff to give preference to exservicemen qualified to perform the duties required.

“RESTS WITH PEOPLE” If a consumers’ cooperative society was not established or failed to obtain the required support, preference was then given to ex-servicemen nominated by the Rehabilitation Department. “It consequently rests with the residents in state housing settlements (including the ex-servicemen who are allotted one half of the state rental houses) to decide whether such a societies will be established and accorded the degree of support required to qualify the societies for tenancies of the state shops,” continued Mr Nash. “The condition regarding the employment of staff ensures that rehabilitation opportunities will be preserved for ex-servicemen.

NORMAL OPERATION “The financing of the trading activities of such societies falls within normal banking operations. “The question whether overdraft facilities should be extended to any society of this nature is, in the case of the Bank of New Zealand, a matter for the decision of the board of directors of the bank.” Mr T. E. Skinner (G —Tamaki) said that not long ago members of the Opposition had complained of women with “shopping bag neuritis.” Now they were criticising the Government for assisting to provide the facilities the women in outlandish places like Orakei were entitled to have. Did the Opposition complain about the new buildings being erected by private enterprise in the Great South Road and other commercial areas? Mr J. T. Watts (O—St. Albans): Yes. Mr Skinner: Do you agree that we should stop it? Dr A. M. Finlay (G—North Shore): Does he approve of the Christchurch baths project? EASING OF CONTROLS Mr Skinner said a certain amount of commercial building work must go on. It was going on to a larger extent than ever before. He believed the time had arrived when the Government should ease the control of building materials. Mr G. F. Sim (O —Waikato) said the premises on the Great South Road were factories assisting in the production of essential goods. It was not right that a member of the Upper House could go to a Minister to make representations for . r building permit after a member of the House of Representatives had failed on going through the proper channels. The Government was using Legislative Councillors to undermine the duly-elected representatives of the people.