MEAT AND FRUIT TRADE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19134, 1 October 1936, Page 15

MEAT AND FRUIT TRADE

“UNFAIR COMPETITION” WITNESSES* ('OMIM.ATXT CHAIN STORES INQUIRY (P«r Tress Association.) WELLINGTON, ibis day. Unfair competition in the meat and fruit trade was complained of by witnesses when the Industries and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives continued its hearing to-day of the petition asking for legislation in regard to chain stores. Mr. Stephenson, president of the Canterbury Master Butchers' Association. read a statement in which it was asked that the export companies should be prevented from entering into the retail trade in New Zealand. It was maintained that the freezing companies had an export license only, and if the present-day conditions persisted half the retail butchers would go out of business. A member of the committee remarked that in view of this evidence the freezing companies should have an opportunity of hearing and replying to it. Tho witness said that if all meat for retail sale were killed at the abattoirs, the butchers could redneo their prices. WITHDRAWAL OF SIGNATURE

Mr. Tunley, president of the Dominion council of the Master' Butchers’ 'Association, said that ho signed the petition as a private individual and subsequently withdrew it as it appeared that he had signed on behalf of the council. He had no authority to commit the organisation. He said he had no complaint against tiie Gear Company, which strictly observed the conditions and regulations governing the trade, and the butchers would not object to it opening additional shops in Wellington. A Wellington fruiterer, Ur. Walker, complained of the competition of chain stores, saying that they cut the prices of fruit and flowers as a decoy to sell other lines. This witness also said that in his opinion private buying at markets should be prohibited. In reply to the Hon. I). G. Sullivan, he said he did not mind who sold goods so long as fair prices were charged. Mr, Russell, a tobacconist, objected to all traders oilier than tobacconists selling tobacco and cigarettes. He also complained of after-hours trading.