WAR-TIME LEGISLATION

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1931, Page 7

WAR-TIME LEGISLATION

REPEAL OF TWO ACTS DESIRED.

MASTER GROCERS’ COMPLAINT.

The repeal of certain war-time legislation which still stands on the Statute Book and which is considered by the grocers to affect detrimentally a large section of the traders of the Dominion was sought in a letter received by the council of the Taranaki Chamber of Conirncrce last night from the North Taranaki Master Grocers’ Association.

“Briefly put,” stated the communication, “the position is that while the Commercial Trust Act and the Cost of Living Act remain on the Statute Book it is illegal for any manufacturer or packet of a foodstuff to have any control over the retail price his commodity sells at.

‘Tn order to catch trade there are certain retailers who pick upon a well known and well advertised line dud cut the price below actual cost. The result is that the other retail grocers stop stocking the lines so advertised by the chain store organisations and the unfortunate manufacturer or packer sees iu many cases the result of many years of sound advertising nullified, and the unfortunate fact remains that because his line happens to be a foodstuff, he is powerless either to prevent the cutter obtaining supplies of to make him adhere to a reasonable price. “Our association consists of retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers in the grocery trade who desire to see this legislation removed from the Statute Book as much of it is purely war-time measures. It is submitted that competition is sufficiently keen to ensure that no exorbitant profit would be obtained if the Act were repealed.

“ft is trusted that tlie Chamber will take this matter up and thoroughly consider it with a view to bringing pressure to bear on the Government to have tlie Acts referred to either repealed or amended. As the law stands at present there is no protection for any section of the trade.”

Tlie letter was referred to the legislative committee of the council for consideration. i