GROCERS’ FEDERATION

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 85, 8 February 1928, Page 5

GROCERS’ FEDERATION

CONFERENCE AT NELSON. ' ’ UNFAIR CXIMPmTION.' ! ‘ A •-Per Press Association.' Th rfti. KELSON, Last Nighty ! ‘ n " al eo re nee of the ivew- Zealand Master Grocem’ Federation was opened by the Minister of and Commerce (Hon, A. re+ to-day, when more than nrty delegates were present. ‘ Thd Mayor Mr. W. J. Moffat. L;' u',? ate& ; T a we,c °me to Nelson, whjtch Mr H. Atmore, A1.P.," 3 ?® n + W. W Snodgrass and the presi dent of the Chamber of Commerce; , Mr ti E H. Tliomson supported. Mr. McLeod' stressed the need of encouraging the use of New Zealandmalde goods. When vegetables and similar, commodities were being JihA ported into the Dominion, it was’ obvious there was something wrong. In the annual report the executive expressed appreciation, of the maimer 111 Labour Department had sought its- co-operation during tha year. The secret a'ry had attended several conferences having reference to< propped amendments to the Shops and Offices Act, and. whilst the legisaation. now in force may not meet with full approval, an advance had been made. Mention was also made of the very definite pronouncement which the executive was able to make relative to the sale of groceries by other tradersi during such hours as grocers were compelled to close. This unfair competition, which had been the cause of complaints for . many years past, .■. a measure now satisfactorily dealt with, and it behoved individual members of the trade, as opportunity offered, to being under the notice of their respective associations any cases where in this respect the, law, wa's being transgressed. '- : The rapid increase in the use . of coupon and prize schemes per riiedSipn of the newspapers and other advertising had occasioned much anxion s thought, and the executive had apt ■been lacking in its endeavours to, wherever- possible, seek for united 1 action on the part of affiliated associations. It was gratifying to; report that at least in one or two instances the efforts of the executive had nipt with some measure of success.. | It had l all along been, felt that this unsatisfactory method of trading was such that warranted' and demanded the introduction of amending legislation by the Government. With consistent; persistency the executive had continued to bring this matter under the notice of the Department of Industries and Commerce, and members would learn with much ' satisfaction that at last opportunity isi to be afforded! of definite action being taken, the results of which it is hoped will be given effect to by amending legislation . A sterling tribute wa's paid to the - late, Mr John Henderson, an expresident of the federation.