ITINERANT TRADING.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1930, Page 6

ITINERANT TRADING.

There is considerable force in the representations made by the Drapers and Clothiers’ Association to the New Plymouth Borough Council at its last meeting. The association drew attention to the necessity for strict supervision over the itinerant traders in the town and district. It. was suggested that the license fee of £5 should be raised to £■2s, but the question of the fee charged seems one that should be governed by circumstances. Possibly a daily charge would be the fairest method of computation, with, of course, a substantial minimum fee. There can be no objection to itinerant trading provided it is on a fair basis. Local traders Jiave heavy overhead costs in the shape of rent, rates and other charges that are incidental to community life and which must be taken into account when prices for their goods are being arranged. Unless a charge that somewhat approaches these overhead costs is made upon itinerant traders they have, an unfair advantage over the local retailer. There are other reasons which make it desirable that supervision should be exercised. The quality of the goods offered and very often the manner in which they are submitted to householders may leave room for much improvement. As was to be expected the borough council is entirely in sympathy with the local traders’, point of view, but the question of supervision is a difficult one unless the public will cooperate with the local authorities. Especially during the times of depression there is a good deal of hawking carried on, and it very rarely occurs to an}' householder to ask whether the seller has been duly licensed. Prompt information to the borough officials of itinerant trading in any.locality would mean investigation without delay, and would cause no hardship to Drose who were trading in a legitimate manner, having obtained their licenses from the local authority by paying the proper fees. The “pirate’’ traderjs obnoxious to both local retailer and honest itinerant dealer, and very rarely can it be said that in cheapness of price, when quality is taken into account, do the goods he sells offer any advantage to the public.