THE COUPON SYSTEM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 129, 24 July 1911, Page 7

THE COUPON SYSTEM.

WORKED AMONGST SCHOOL CHILDREN. An advertising scheme, which infringes very considerably on Education Board regulations, is being countenanced by certain teachers in certain of the city schools, says tho Auckland “Star.” A local firm has distributed, through school channels, to each pupil, a business letter,.inviting the recipient to start a banking account. The envelope boars tho printed instruction: “On no account read this in school hours; read the enclosed when you get home, and consult your parents about it.” The conditions under which school children are invited io join the scheme are that they distribute live tickets sent to them amongst relatives or friends, who must bo persuaded to buy, goods at this firm’s business place. On whatever they buy 5 per cent discount is allowed, and this sum will be paid in penny stamps, on the right number of post office savings bank forms, -and a first tlcpo' i! slip, enabling tho child to open a banking account. Li addition, the coupon system is carried to the extent of cash prizes, tho boy who brings in the largest amount of cash business receiving a silver .watch and chain, and Lie girl mi umbrella. There “lv.uk deposit.-:" and prizes will, it- is stated, he paid over in «)<-, , rvivnts are invited in rho t ircuhu to T.aihei the children’s interests by giving them the best start iu life, a banking account,” and the cidid who agrees to interest himself in the scheme signs the following form: — “I have read the conditions of your ‘start-a-banking-account scheme,’ and I hereby agree to represent your firm to the best of my ability.” r J hen musi be appended the child’s name and acf* dress, and the name of the school. Mr R. Crowe, secretary of the Education Board, seen regarding the subject, said that the Board had never, countenanced such a scheme, and if tho teachers were distributing the papers it constituted a distinct breach of the regulations.