THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1927. THE RETAILER’S OBLIGATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20005, 24 January 1927, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1927. THE RETAILER’S OBLIGATIONS.

It cannot bo said that there has boon undue haste in the enforcement of the pro\'isions of the Weights and Measures Act of 1925. The regulations under the Act came into force several days ago, and, occupying as they do some four and twenty pages of the Gazette, they certainly seem to provide a large amount of material for mental digestion, as well as to controvert the idea that shopkeeping is quite a simple matter. The Act itself is, after all, however, mainly a consolidating measure, with certain embellishments and amendments. It was introduced, as was pointed out on behalf of the Government at the time, for the protection of the general public. •It is to be hoped that the laudable purpose in view may be achieved. As manufacturers, importers, and traders were given the opportunity, when the regulations were being framed, of making representations on the subject, and as they have not raised any outcry on the score of hardship, it is to bo assumed that they have not anticipated any serious difficulty in complying with the new requirements. That somewhat elaborate safeguards are necessary to ensure that the consumer may not be the victim of dishonesty on the part of unscrupulous traders has, of course, to bi recognised, and it is in the interests of the trading section of the community as a whole, as well as of the public, that a strict supervision of the retailing of goods should be carried out. The now Act introduces a larger measure of control over the method of selling goods, it being realised that it was not sufficient merely to place upon traders the onus ot possessing accurate weighing and measuring appliances. Now it becomes an offence for any dealer to sell or deliver any goods short of the quantity asked for or represented. This is no more than a proper corollary to the obligation in respect of the weights and measures kept. The provision requiring that certain goods which are dispensed

retail shall be sold only by net weight or measure, disregarding the container, is clearly in the interests of the consumer, and the considerable list of exemptions presumably ensures that the operation oi it will not be attended with inconvenience or difficulty. Perhaps the provision of the Act, with the attendant regulations, which has most interest for the purchasing public, is that which makes it compulsory that, in the case of the retailing of goods made u|> beforehand, the packages shall be of a definitely prescribed weight or measure. This should put an end to a latitude that has been exorcised by manufacturers and traders. When the Weights and Measures Bill was under discussion in the House of Representatives, it was pointed out by the Minister of Labour that it had been found that packages already made up ready for sale, and purporting to be of a certain weight or measure, had been incorrect, and customers had no means of ascertaining the fact when purchasing. Under the law as U now stands—the alteration made having been copied from the New South Wales legislation—the net weight or measure must be shown on the pack age, and conform to a prescribed scaleAs the Secretary to the Labour Department has pointed out in an explanation of the new regulations, in the case of a package made up to weigh an ounce or two less than a pound, a customer might easily be under the impression that he was receiving a full weight of sixteen ounces, even though the actual weight was marked. Traders who have not approved of this method of packing should had with satisfaction the steps that are now being taken to ensure that there shall be a uniform practice, and that all goods retailed in packages shall comply with the weights prescribed under the new regulations. When the consumer purchases goods of small bulk he can subsequently check their weight for himself. In respect of such a commodity as coal, that is not, however, within his ability. When the Weights and Measures Bill was before Parliament a member drew pointed attention to the retailing of coal and coke, expressing the opinion—rightly or wrongly —that a good deal of trickery was practised by dealers in selling coal to poor people. The regulations that have now been brought into operation are not lacking in reference to the methods which shall be observed by the coal merchant in supplying his customers, but the safeguarding provisions can only be of real value, it must be concluded, in so far as inspectors show activity in the. discharge of the powers entrusted to them. In other words, the protection of the public depends on strict enforcement of the Act.