Public Opinion

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 235, 3 October 1929, Page 3

Public Opinion

MARTON QUEEN CARNIVAL Sir, —I read with interest a letter in your paper last Alonday and the answer to that letter by the the chairman of the Sports Committee, Air A. S. Coleman. It is surprising indeed to think that such a thing could have happened. From an onlooker’s point of view the whole proceedings were a bungle and an absolute discredit to the Alayor and his management. For instance, why was any charge made for entrance to the Park on Saturday night. I feel sure that many who were there did not see the crowning ceremony and those who were fortunate enough to be near the dias were the only ones who saw the most uninteresting crowning ceremony staged in or out of Marton. Then let us take the old settlers Jubilee Day. At that gathering people were there who, to ray knowledge, have not been residents of Marton or district for more than two years. Yet many people who have lived in or about Marton for 60 years were not invited to attend that gathering. May I ask if subscribers to tho Mayoral chaii qualified for an invitation to that function? FAIR PLAY. DRINK AND CAR DRIVING Sir, —The rising toll of deaths and maiming by motorists who are under the influence of drink is a plain indication that the question should be seriously considered. Recent research work in great laboratories of the world has shown that eight ounces of a 6 per cent, beer delays sensory and motor response—that between the eyes and hands—besides impairing the judgment of distances for moving and stationary objects. We sometimes hear it said that a person is immune from the effects of alcohol because of its regular use; but this is not so. The Industrial Research Council reported that there is an acquired tolerance for the drug; the habitual use of which makes no difference to the above findings. We are applying the results of pure scientific research freely to the art of living, and we cannot ignore them in this matter of killing and incapacitating citizens. “SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE” Fordell, 1/10/29. LOCAL TALENT Slr > —I wonder if the citizens of Wanganui realise that there is at present “running” in the city a comic opera production of which any city south of the Line might be proud? I refer, of course ,to the “Pirates of P.enzance.’’

I have had fairly lengthy experience of musico-dramatic productions, professional and amateur, and have played with a number of London theatre orchestras, but I have never seen a better amateur production, and I have seen many professional ones that could not hold a candle to it. Two of the artists, Messrs Hubert Carter and Harison Cook, belong to a class rarely heard in this type of work, except in the D’Oylcy Carte companies at Horng. And how worthily they are supported by the local artists who fill the other roles in tho cast!

I need not particularise, they are all good. The chorus ig one of the largest and best I have heard outside grand opera; the unaccompanied chorus at the end of the first act is a splendid number, the tone is so round and well-bal-anced and the pitch and diction good. Thje orchestral tone, pitch, and precision are most commendable, and the contribution of this part of the show towards the ensemble is a noteworthy one.

When one listens to such a chorus and orchestra, one wonders why some Wanganui theatre-goers will pay eight or ten shillings to hear the wobbly and strident choruses and blatant orchestras associated with some visiting musical shows, when such a musical treat is provided by superior artists at half the price. Producer, scenic artist, lighting artist, and—last but not least—the musical conductor, havg combined to make a production which citizens ©an only miss to their own great loss. WILL HUTCHENS. October 2, 1929. TOBACCO TRADE Dear Sir, —Misleading and incorrect statements have recently been made, per medium of the papers, concerning the sale of cigarettes and tobaccos. In substance, these complaints, originating from tobacconists, allege that certain firms retail cigarettes and tobaccos at a figure which, is below cost, doing so as an advertising measure. Such statements as these are incorrect, and are designed solely to arouse sympathy of the Government for those shopkeepers whose methods are as antiquated as are thoir ideas of a reasonable profit. We will pay the sum of £5OO into the Earthquake Fund if anyone can prove we are selling cigarettes and tobaccos without making a profit. We have no hesitation in saying that our distribution and selling organisation is largely responsible for our low prices, and our tobacco department has returned us a very handsome profit, but has yet permitted us to give the general public the article they require at a fair and reasonable price. It ig not generally accepted by retailers, but in assessing the retail value of any class of merchandise the question of turnover must be considered. For instance, a section of goods which may be “turned over,’* gay, once per annum, must obviously carry a more substantial margin of profit than the class of goods “turned over” four times per annum. Our tobacco stock is “turned over” 25 times per annum, so it will be obvious, even to the layman, that a small margin of profit per article will, at the end of the year, amount to a very considerable figure, in comparison with the invested capital of the department. Therefore presuming a firm is averaging 8 per cent, profit on its tobacco department and is turning tho stock over 25 times per annum the percentage of profit on the outlay will approximate somewhere in the vicinity of 220 per cent, per annum. Although this last-mentioned percentage is high, it is actually on the conservative side, as, in our experience, we have quite often turned over our stock weekly. It has always been the principle of our firm to study all aspects of retailing, and to pass on to the public aueh

benefits as we can. On the other hand, wo can point to case s where tobacconists are paying rent up to £2OOO a year. We claim, if we have a more ecnomical method of distributing to the public we are entitle.. to use same. Price cutting exists in several other trades in New Zealand today. We do not think any Government would tackle such a herculean task as to attempt to regulate prices more especially the present Government whoso slogan was “Less Government interference in business. ’ ’

Any action taken to preclude the sale of tobaccos and cigarettes by such organisations as ourselves will give a direct fillip to the already high cost or living, and certainly will not be appreciated by the public generally, who have shown their appreciation of out efforts, by their gererous patronage.

Wc attach certificate from our auditors —Alessrs Watkins, Hull, Hunt and Wheeler.

Yours faithfully, J. r. mckenzie, ltd. July 29, 1929. We certify that we have audited the tobacco accounts of Alessrs J. R. McKenzie Limited for tho year ended 31st August, 1928, and certify that the per-

centage of gross profit on tobacco sales for that year was 8.301 per cent. Watkins, Hull. Hunt and Wheeler, Chartered Acc« '.ntants (Aust.)., Auditors.