PROTECTION TO RETAIL TRADERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 872, 25 August 1879, Page 2

PROTECTION TO RETAIL TRADERS.

The retail traders of Christchurch, says the LyUdton Times, are about to take steps to form an association for protection against those who are m the habit of running up "longsdbres" with- j out the intention or ability to settle them. A circular has been sent to the various retailers, submitting a plan for their consideration. .The proposal runs thus : — "lt is proposed to form an association whose members will report to the secretary any bad or doubtful bases, from which reports a; list will be.compiled and distributed amoung subscribers to guide them m business transactions, and thereby it is hoped, reduce risks to a minimum. If this is conscientiously done, the results to individual traders will be valuable, and will also tend to abolish a great portion of the credit system which now exists. Briefly stated, the basis of the movement may be sketched thus : A fee to be decided by mutual consent ; a secretary, to whom all reports are to be furnished, accompanied by the signature of sender, as a guarantee of. good faith— and not for publication ; rules and regulations, to be submitted to the first meeting of subscribers ; a committee, to be elected from the subscribers, who Bhall control the organisation and cause it to fulfil its mission." If sufficient inducement offers, a meeting will be held . on a substantial basis. The signatures to the circular comprise the names of some of our most prominent shopkeepers. ' -