TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 24, 22 July 1911, Page 6

TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

UP-TO-DATE- ADVERTISING. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SCHOOLTEACHERS. Auckland, July ID. An advertising scheme which infringes very considerably on Education Board regulations is being countenanced by some teachers in certain of the city schools. A local firm has distributed through school channels to each pupil a business letter inviting the recipient to start a banking account. The envelope bears the printed instructions, "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 to join the scheme are that they distribute five tickets sent to them amongst relatives or friends, who must be 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 deposit slip enabling the child to open a banking account. In addition, the coupon system is carried to the extent of cash prices, the boy who brings in the largest amount of cash business receiving a silver watch i and the girl an umbrella. These "bank deposits" and prizes will, it is stated, be paid over in October. Parents are invited in the circular to further the children's interests by giving them the best start in life—a banking account—and the child who agrees to interest himself in th■ scheme signs the following form:— "I h ve read the conditions of your 'Star' ;i Banking Account scheme,' and I lierel.. agree to represent your firm to the I: sl of my ability." Then must be appended the child's name and address and name of the school. Mr. R. Crowe, secretary of the Education Board, seen regarding the subject, said the Board had never countenanced such a scheme, and if the teachers were distributing the papers it constituted a distinct breach of the regulations.