THE WHOLESALE TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12211, 8 August 1925, Page 7

THE WHOLESALE TRADE

JOINS IN THE REQUEST Mr A. S. Duncan, Christchurch (wholesale trade), said:— I have been appointed, to represent the wholesale trade in this deputation, and wish at the outset to giye you our assurance that it is the sincere desire of the trade that Parliament should deal with licensing legislation at once. We are pleased to associate ourselves with the other bodies represented today in support of the proposals; that have been laid before you. It hardly needs to he pointed out that from the material side ours is the body most affected by changes in legislation. .As traders we are in a different position

- to any other section of the business >: community because the continuance of ’■ bqr business is subject to a popular : vote every three years. In joining in this request for amend- > ing legislation we have been subjected i to much criticism at the bands of our opponents. They contend that reform 1 should come from within the trade it- ■ self; but the answer to that is that the i community, many years ago, assumed i direct and special control of the trade ■ through the Legislature, and it is only ' through the Legislature that reform measures can be made operative and effective. We, as a licensed trade, are f not .singular in this respect. The statute books are full of laws designed i to protect the public from unscrupulous traders and to protect the traders ; from unfair dealing one with the other. When. We come, to consider the difficulties' surrounding our business I think we can point with pride to the fact that there are very few among those engaged in the licensed trade to-day who do not do their utmost to conduct their business cleanly and within the law. Unfortunately human nature is such that in every business there are those who disregard the rights of others. We see that in the proeecutions for adulteration of milk and other , foodstuffs, and the breaches of regulations governing businesses oF many kinds. The laws providing restrictions on trade and business generally are placed on the statutes to safeguard the public and to protect every legitimate trader. We join ill this request for legislation on that basis; and I emphasise the point, because constant attempts are being made by pur opponents to isolate us as a trade and to. brand us with the offences of the worst element, which in onr case, as unfortunately in every other business and calling in the country, does to a minor degree exist. ABUSES NOT CONDONED We do not condone abuses. We wish to join in every effort to raise our business to the highest standard, and we are confident that the proposals agreed to by all the bodies forming tne New Zealand Licensing Reform Association as now placed before you, apd which we sincerely support, will, if carried into effect, bring about such a satisfactory condition of affairs that the liquqr questjon in New Zealand will'Be settled lor all time. May I say-just one word regarding our attitude towards the proposal of corporate control. We recognise that the electors Have the right to declare for reform as between continuance, of existing conditions * and prohibition. They have that right now in the third issue of State purchase and control. We hold strongly that the third issue Should be maintained, and that its removal would be a breach of an understanding, when Parliament, in 1918, granted to the prohibitionists the bare majority for their issue, that the moderate electors, should have in future a third issue with which to conscientiously' declare their real .wishes. The suggestion has been made that the proposal of corporate control should be substituted ott tbe ballotpaper for the present issue of State . purchase. That' suggestion was supported by the various bodies opposed to prohibition, and we, as the trade, agreed also to support the change for ■ two reasons. Firstly, because we realised that the organised 1 moderate of the Dominion desired it, and that it was our duty to meet their wishes; and, secondly, because the corporate control proposal, while constituting a drastic change in the licensing system, did not imply the complete - elimination of our- interest in .the business, as would .Be the case under State purchase and'control. We feel that in this matter we are in the hands of the electors. .We believe that, given the changes in the low governing the existing system of private ownership that this deputation, advocates, that vtp i will he able to satisfy the people of. New Zealand, and that a complete change in the system will not then he : required by; them. But if it bo other- ! wise, and the people require a change, [ then We must how to their decision. In Such case, may I'say, on Behalf of the ■wholesale trade, that we consider the corporate control proposal to be 'practicable! in every way, and that, if the people are given an opportunity to vote on it and decide in ito favour, that we Will work loyaljy to make it a success. THE GENERAL ASPECT Sir, may I refer briefly to one or two matters in. connection with the general aspect of this liquor controversy which very seriously affect the community. One is the question of revenue. This has been fully dealt with on previous occasions and needs' no elaboration; but on an occasion such as this, it must not be overlooked. May we venture to ask, Sir, whether the Government has considered in what / direction taxation will be placed in order to meet tbe loss of revenue if prohibition should happen to be carried at the next pollP We feel that we are justified in asking that the publio should be advised on this matter before they are called upon to vote. ' Another question is that of the inevitable creation of unemployment following on the dislocation of business that would be brought about by prohibition. ' . As employees we feel if to be our duty to . stress this very serious aspect of the matter. ' 1 , I wish also to endorse what has been said , about he extension of the period between ths polls. ' From our intimate knowledge of the business we are convinced ’that the insecurity of tenure created by the polls being held every three years* has a more dele- , terioua effect upon the conduct of the business than any other of tho conditions with which we have to contend. May I, in conclusion, express the hope; on ,behalf of the wholesale Trade, that legislation will he dealt with this session on the lines of the proposals that have been plaoed before you by this deputation.