CHEMISTS AND COMPETITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22391, 11 April 1936, Page 15

CHEMISTS AND COMPETITION

Sir—ln Wednesday's Herald "Live and Let Live" accuses the chemists of poaching on other retailers. If he would reflect for a moment ho would see that the position is just the reverse. The chemist's trade is interfered with on all sides. What retailer can truthfully say that he is not poaching on the chemist in one way or other? Patent medicines and packed drugs are sold without check or discretion by all stores and grocers; cosmetics and toilot requisites by drapers and many stationers; tablets and pills by all and sundry, including confectioners and even greengrocers. All are also sold by numerous hawkers travelling throughout tho land. None of these is qualified by law or practice to handle medicinal products. In addition to all this, the chemist is at the beck and call of the community at all hours of the day and night. He is morally forced to give credit for medicines (which chain pharmacies certainly will not do) and a large percentage is never recovered. "Live and Let Live' states that the chemist is protected by law. The amount of protected trade is a very small part of the takings necessary to run a business. Any person is allowed to make and sell medicines, unless containing dangerous drugs. And furthermore, the most extravagant and untrue claims are made for the concoctions without tho least fear of censure Your correspondent also mentions as an example the country photographer. What photographer is in a position to givo such an efficient service in film, papers, sundries, etc., as a chemist? And who started tho photographic trade? Undoubtedly, the chemist. Another most important point is that, supposing that in the small country town that "Live and Lot Li\e inhabits there is sufficient trade to keep only the one sundry shop open, which would be the most necessary to the health and well being of tho coinmunitv? The chemist, stationer, or photographer? Again, undoubtedly, the chemist. If the chemist had to rely only on what "Live and Let Live" considers his legitimate trade, i.e., , dispensing, he would need a population (paying cash) of at least 5000 people Would this be a good state of affairs for the small and country towns? Certainly live and let live, but let us have Fair Accusations.