GROCERS’ GATHERING.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1924, Page 4

GROCERS’ GATHERING.

FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE. PROBLEMS OF THE TRADE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The first annual conference of the New Zealand Master Grocers’ Federation opened to-day, the president (Mr. J. Henderson) presiding. The conference was declared open by Mr. H. J. Hudson (president of the Auckland Wholesale Merchants’ Association). The problem confronting both wholesalers and retailers, he said, was how to deal with unfair trade. Another great problem was price-cutting, and the removal of the legislative prohibition of fixing the minimum price would go far to remedy the conditions complained of. In his presidential address Mr. Henderson said the first essential was to see that a fair return was obtained for fair service. Price-cutting had nothing to commend it, and the public did not really

benefit, for it often led to supplying low grade goods and tampering with weights.

The annual report said the matter of a Dominion award for assistants had been discussed, but, owing to the varying conditions in town and country, the proposal was not practicable. The trade had been urged to discountenance the sale of goods associated with coupons or prise-giving schemes. The taxing of prices had been advanced a certain stage. The conference adopted the rules and objects of rhe federation as passed by various associations.

It was decided that the headquarters should remain at Auckland, with Mr. J. Henderson as president and the local executive as the federation executive. The Minister for Labour (Hon. G. J. Anderson) addressed the conference on the Apprentices’ Act on the lines of addresses elsewhere.

In the evening the conference discussed the desirability of arranging for special training and the awarding of certificates of proficiency by examination, Mr. D. K. Hobersfield (Christchurch) reading a paper on the subject.