THE SMALL TRADERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 18 June 1936, Page 10

THE SMALL TRADERS

“<Sfc a (Contributed by the New Zealand Welfare League) The function exercised by the small shopkeeper in the life of the community is undoubtedly most useful and important. Unfortunately New Zealand statistics do not give details of retail trade therefore it is im-

possible Jo give definite figures. In Britain, however returns show that -“unit shops” number about 550,000 with a'.turnover of £IOOO millions Against ; 30,000 chain stores with a turnover of £3OO million, 10,000 co-op. branches turning over £2OO mililcns and 1000 department stores turning over £l5O millions," Of the unit shops. 90 per cent, are small independent businesses,. most of them family concerns, which employ over 2,000,000 workers besides family helpers.

It is not unreasonable to assume that if figures'-were available the position in New Zealand would show very similar comparative results. The great number of small traders is largely due to the natural desire of being one’s own master, of having one’s own business and using one’s abilities to the best advantage—they are people of enterprise, courage and independence. The small trader in short is a valuable asset in the life of the nation, and care should be taken not to make his existence impossible by restrictive legislation.