A “VICIOUS” SYSTEM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 440, 4 December 1930, Page 7

A “VICIOUS” SYSTEM

FREE GIFT COUPONS

DAIRY FARMERS’ PROTEST

BURDEN TO THE INDUSTRY

[Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, Doc. 2. A request that the Government prohibit the coupon system being applied to primary products, was made to the Alinister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. P. A. de la Perrellc) by a deputation from tT.o National Dairy Association. It contended that the application of the system to butter was costing the farmers a halfpenny per pound and thia cost was aggravating the already serious plight of the farmer. In introducing the deputation, the Hon. J. B. Gow said the question waa one of serious importance to tho dairying industry.

The president of the Association, a Mr A. Alorton said they represented the whole of tho dairy farmers of the North Island. The farmers had experienced a heavy fall in the price of their products and coupons were adding to their burdens, because it meant they had to make a concession to the system.

The managing director of Amalgamated Dairies, Auckland, Mr William Goodfellow, said tho coupon system only recently had been applied to the sale of butter in Wellington and his company, which supplied one third of the local market, would lose £16,000, because of it- Tho manager of one of tho chain store companies, in Wellington had told him it would cost his firm £25,000 or 24 per cent of tho turnover if it wore applied to al] goods. That would moan people who dealt at that company’s stores would have to pay £25.000 more for groceries. The system had been stopped in South Africa and Australia.

In reply Afr de la Perrelle said he realised the seriousness of tho position, especially as there had been a big fall in prices on the overseas market. Tomorrow he was to receive a deputation from tho Chamber of Commerce protesting against universal coupons and after hearing their views he would place the whole matter before Cabinet. He could sec that something must bn done.

Afr Goodfellow: Will you make a favourable recommendation to Cabinet?” Mr de la Perrelle: “I think something must bo done.”

Mr Goodfellow: “It is an abominably vicious thing.”

Mr de la Perrelle said he was very sorry that the farmers were suffering as the result of the system. Mr Morton: “It affects the whole o< tho people.” Tho Minister: “Yes. there is n< doubt it affects tho whole country.” ‘‘GROSSLY UNFAIR TRADING” PROTEST TO MINISTER [Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Dec. 3.

Representatives of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and the New Zealand Employers’ Federation will wait upon the Minister of Internal Affair- to-morrow morning to protest against the coupon or prize-givinf system.

Members of the Wellington Mastet Grocers’ Association arc behind ths Associated Chambers of Commerce and tho New Zealand Employers* Federation in any action they intend to takq in the direction of seeking the discontinuance of the coupon or prize-giving system. Tho Association which is affiliated with the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, has passed a resolution condemning the practice.

“We consider that the system is ft grossly unfair method of trading.” said a member of the Association today. ‘‘We arc absolutely against it and are whole-heartedly behind any movement to suppress it. We cannot condemn the scheme too strongly.” A TIMARU RESOLUTION [ Per Press Assoclstion. ] TIMARU, Dec. 1 At a largely attended meeting of retail shopkeepers of Timaru held today, the question of tho different trailing coupon systems now being introduced into New Zealand were fully discussed. The following resolution was carried: “That this meeting of retailors asks the South Canterbury Employers’ Association and the Chamber of Commerce to support strongly a movement to make representation to the Government to pass legislation to prohibit all rebate on free gift schemes, whereby the purchaser or customer secures a rebate or free gift by means of collecting coupons that should remitted in the form of coupons being a percentage discount for cash or monthly credit terms.’* PROTEST TO MINISTER [ Per Press AssoctntJon. 1 WELLINGTON, Dec. J. A request that the Government prohibit tho coupon system being applied to primary products was made to the Hon. P. A. de la Pcfrcllo by a deputation from the National Dairy Association to-day. It was contended that the application of the system to butter was costing the farmers a halfpenny a pound on their product and that this cost waa aggravating the already serious plight of the farmer

, Tho Alinister agreed that something would have to be done to counteract the coupons and he intended to place the whole matter before Cabinet