MASTER GROCERS

Southland Times, Issue 19822, 19 March 1926, Page 5

MASTER GROCERS

CONFERENCE AT DUNEDIN. YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS. (Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, March 18 The master grocers’ conference was continued to-day. Discussing the competition. offered to grocers by small shops that kept open after the legal closing hour, the conference criticised the present provisions of the Shops and Offices Act and in view of the proposed amendments of the Act it was urged that the only remedy for the present situation was the adoption of a universal closing hour for shops. The following Auckland remit was brought up: “That where groceries are sold in conjunction with a dairy or where there is a combination of grocery and dairying or any other business the hours shall be those fixed by the awards governing the grocerv trade.” After discussion the matter was referred to the advisory committee of the Employers’ Association with a recommendation to urge legislation for a universal closing hour. Mr Emmett (Wanganui) moved: “That factories or warehouses should be compelled to charge nett weight of cheese upon the date it leaves the factory for delivery.” This was carried. The following remits were also carried:— 'That the Weights and Measures Act and regulations be so amended aS to make it compulsory for inspectors to inspect weights and measures annually on the premises.” “That considering the fact that the Weights and Measures Act was enacted for public protection the whole of the cost of administration should be a charge upon the consolidated fund.” “That in the opinion of the conference the time has arrived for the Government to take into serious consideration the question of reverting to the stamp duty charges pertaining prior to the war, viz.: cheque receipts Id, and ordinary receipts Id.” Mr aR. Burley (Wellington) moved: the federation should immediately confer with the various industrial associations of the Dominion with a view to securing legislation whereby manufacturers have the legal right to fix the retail price of any article manufactured, also to have power, if such price is not adhered to, to stop supplies, such prices to be fixed after consultation with the Board of Trade and the retail trade.”—Held over pending the conference to-morrow.