CHAIN STORES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22468, 11 July 1936, Page 17

CHAIN STORES

Sir, —The continual extension of the chain store is bringing fear into the lives of thousands of workers, whether they be in shops, warehouses or factories. Take commercial travellers as an example; it is estimated that in the United States of America, the chain stores have been responsible in the last 10 years for well over half of the commercial travellers of America losing their positions and livelihood. The same tiling will happen in New Zealand, only to a greater extent, for our country is so much smaller, and I venture to say that within five years over 50 per cent of the commercial travellers of New Zealand will be off the road if these chains are allowed to extend. Chain stores do not require commercial travellers, and the experience of America, Canada, and other countries serves to show that in countries where the chains are strongest, commercial travellers are not wanted and are being forced off the road. Other countries, including A.merica, Canada, France, Germany. Czechoslovakia, etc., have now realised the danger to the public welfare of these chain organisations, and are taking drastic means to check their operations and in many cases they are putting them out of operation altogether. In Czechoslovakia, it is reported that th« Government will practically put the chains out of existence; a law has recently been passed in Franco preventing the opening of further chain stores for a year while tho whole position is investigated; in Germany, the chains are under rigid Government control, and many of the American States, including California and New York, have passed laws controlling their operations. Those of us who are connected with trade and industry look to tho now Government to prevent tho extension of the chain store system in New Zealand, and to take active steps immediately to lessen the power and ill effects of those already in operation. A Knight of the Koad.