COUPON SYSTEM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 10 December 1930, Page 5

COUPON SYSTEM

iTo the Editor) Sir, —Somewhere round about 1898 when the late Richard John Seddon was Premier of New Zealand, "trading stamps" were much in vogue in this land. The system threatened to engulf the commercial activities of the whole country. As far as one can see "trading stamps" and this new coupon system in their appearance and in their working are to all intents and purposes identical. Iletailers bought these "stamps" from the company at so much per 100 or per 1000 and gave them to each person spending a given amount. These were redeemed by the "grading stamp" company who to tempt the public still further rented shops in the various towns not for the sale of goods, but for the display of these precious "gifts" in the windows. The matter was brought under Mr Seddon's notice, and in unqualified terms he denounced the entire system as immoral, vicious and pernicious, and in a very short while he made the whole outfit illegal. "Trading stamps" were wiped out in one act. "Trading stamps," 1 presume, are still illegal, and if so, so are these coupons—the same thing under a different name and "a rose by any other name smells as sweet."

Reference to newspaper files in those days would confirm what I have written. I know quite well because I had been induced to purchase these "trading stamps" Mr Seddon's prompt and effective methods in dealing with this commercial evil were very much appreciated by the traders generally, and they heaved a sigh of real relief when the system was wiped out. —I am, etc., READER. Nelson. 9th December.

DANGER. OF PAPER FAMINE Opportunity for New Zealanders The world's production of paper in 1913 was 11,420,000 metric tons, but by 1927 this figure had increased to 19,152,000 tons. In spite of this the National Development Bureau in Ottawa reports that "at the end of March, 1930, the Canadian and U.S.A. Paper Mills had paper stocks on hand equivalent to only 3.7 days average production. ... If these mills ceased production even for 4 days a temporary paper famine would be the result."

This fact offers even further proof that the softwood plantations owned by the Bondholders of N.Z. Perpetual Forests, Ltd., will prove highly remunerative from the investors point of view.