CONCERN IN TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25797, 19 March 1945, Page 4

CONCERN IN TRADE

POSSIBILITY OF BLACK MARKETING

From inquiries made in Dunedin yesterday, it is, understood that although the Otago Grocers’ Association has not acted in the matter, many grocers will decline to cut out sugar coupons from ration books, the general opinion being that the Government edict is inimical to the public good. In a statement issued on Saturday, prior to the general request made by Mr Fanselow. the Otago Master Grocers’ Association drew attention to the possibility of black marketing through trafficking in coupons. This possibility, the statement said, was the most alarming aspect of the change. An Undesirable Change

“The abandonment of sugar registration without any stated reason has caused alarm in the grocery trade in Otago, and it is evident that whoever was responsible for the action had not considered the effects which will arise,” the statement added. “In answer to an inquiry from the Master Grocers’ Federation, Mr Nordmeyer replied that the present decision was made by the War Cabinet after consideration of all the circumstances, but it is extraordinary that such a decision could have been made without consultation with the Grocers’ Federation or a responsible official of the federation. “The abandonment of registration was discussed with the then Food Controller, Mr J. E. Thomas, at a meeting of the National Executive of the Grocers’ Federation in September last, and Mr Thomas stated that he would give his decision the following day. This he did to the effect that, after hearing the grocers’ side of the case, registration would be continued. “Mr Nordmeyer’s statement that the decision was made by the War Cabinet does not carry conviction, as a telegram from this association to the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) pointing out some of the evils which would result elicited the reply from Mr Fraser that he was placing the telegram before Mr Nordmeyer. Surely, if the War Cabinet was responsible, the Prime Minister would have referred the protest direct to it. Alarming Possibility “The most alarming aspect of the change is the possibility of black marketing through trafficking in coupons, quite apart from any difficulties caused by loose coupons going astray. Sugar is a necessary commodity, much more so than petrol, in respect of which the public knows the results of trafficking, and the ease with which sugar coupons could be misappropriated and used again is apparent to anyone. The results would be chaotic from the point of view of national stocks, and also to the grocer by reason of the fact that sugar could be issued twice or more on the one coupon. “Attendant results such as additional labour and worry to the grocer, and dislocation of trade of the service grocer, are small in comparison with the threat of the unhinging of the whole sugar position in New Zealand. “ What it is really desired to know is the real reason for discarding sugar registration, and if that can be ascertained and published a distinct, service will have been rendered to the grocery trade in particular and the public of New Zealand in general.”