“SOMETHING FOR NOTHING”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 7 August 1931, Page 2

“SOMETHING FOR NOTHING”

UNUSUAL CHARGE AGAINST LOCAL FIRM

FINE OF £3 IMPOSED An unusual case under the Gaming Act was heard before Mr T. E. Maunseli, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court this morning when Messrs G. Page and Sons were charged with disposing of property to divers persons by means of a certain contrivance whereby such property was disposed of to them as, a lottery or chance. Mr S. Moynngh, who appeared for defendants, pleaded guilty. Detective F. Sinclair explained that early in June Page and Sons issued a circular intimating a free day. The circular to householders read: “How important it is to consider during these slump times anything that will give assistance to the careful housewife, something which will help to make one's money buy more. If so, the following scheme will interest you: “One day during the next four weeks is to be a free purchase day. All customers who have made a purchase on that day (which is unknown), upon production of their cash sale docket will be entitled to select goods absolutely free to the value of their purchase. Thus if you bought goods to the value of 25s on the unknown date you will receive another 25s worth free. There is only one condition for participating in this scheme. It is that all purchases shall be over 10s. On Ist July the unknown date will be published in the “Evening Mail,’ when all who purchased on the lucky day can select their free gift. Instead of advertising £’s and £’s through the papers we are distributing this money direct to customers, advertising in a manner we believe you will appreciate far more, . . . You certainly get the best value at our shop and may shop on the lucky day.” When interviewed on the matter by the Detective, Mr G. Page had said ho was unaware he was breaking the law, but he had to keep faith with the public and so carried on with the scheme. Mr Moynagh explained that Page’s had been sent the scheme of advertising by T. E. McLochlins Advertising Co (Auckland) and Page and Sons had been misled by that Company. Having started the scheme they did not like to stop it.

The Magistrate: “The firm in Auckland seems to have been aiders and abettors.” He said his objection to such a scheme was the exploiting of the gambling spirit of the public to get business, by encouraging people to get something for nothing. A penalty of £3 was imposed.