ITINERANT HAWKERS

Waipa Post, Volume 45, Issue 3267, 13 December 1932, Page 4

ITINERANT HAWKERS

STRICTER SUPERVISION ADVO-

CATED

Cr Empson mentioned at the Borough Council meeting last, evening that the by-laws provide for a license fee for hawkers. The financial statement showed £3 5s as receipts from hawkers fees. By the number of hawkers and canvassers he had seen, he thought that item should be increased a hundred fold. The hawkers were ail everlasting nuisance, not only to shopkeepers, but also to householders. He thought more restrictions should be imposed. He had noticed that the motorists' camping area was being used by hawkers. Surely that was not the intention of the Council in providing a camping grounds ? The Mayor said that the householders would be doing' a service if they would telephone promptly to the Town Clerk's office or the police, when canvassers call on them, so that they could be required to procure a license. The by-laws make it necessary to obtain a license, even for the sale of foodstuffs. Cr Gifford said it was becoming a scandal, the number and variety of hawkers and canvassers. His experience was that the officials were not very keen to deal with the itinerant traders.

Cr Armstrong said some housewives were chary of notifying the police, for fear of being called on to give evidence in Court proceedings. V He understood canvassers and hawkers were using Selwyn Park and other re'serves as a base for operations. . Cr Savill said he knew of housewives who were too frightened of some canvassers—those who are assertive in their manner— to complain. They are only too glad to get rid of the unwelcome caller at the earliest opportunity. ■■>■ Cr Armstrong said a person who parks a car at the Park, solicits orders from householders, and then goes back to the Park to obtain the supplies brdered, is not a commercial traveller, but a hawker. Cr Gilbert told of one recent canvasser whose manner was far from satisfactory. No wonder womenfolk were alaTned. rf The Mayor quoted from the by- § laws. , -^ Cr Armstrong suggested that'there should be a note made in #fe suggestions book for consideration when amendment of the by-laws was being dealt with. The Mayor said every hawker, whether of perishable goods or not, must obtain a license.