PUBLIC SERVICE AND DISCOUNTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17412, 26 May 1928, Page 9

PUBLIC SERVICE AND DISCOUNTS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I see in your paper of the 23rd inst. a letter signed "Live and Let Live." The writer seems 1o be very sore about the Civil Servants' Association's methods. I would like to point out that the thing he is condemning so much is done in nearly every town and city in New Zealand, and is working very smoothly without comment; and also that for years, it' not in existence at the present time, a number of employees of a llrm in Hamilton have been getting concessions from the business people, and some of them a fairly good discount. "Live and Let Live," if he is opposed to it, is not compelled to accept it, as it is optional, but in my opinion it is a step towards encouraging cash business. Hamilton is noted for encouraging credit, a principle which in my opinion is detrimental to progress. 1 am one who pays cash, but I find I never get any encouragement for it, w : hile the monthly customers very often get a discount. Then there are the bad debts to contend with through the credit system. Who pays them? —the man who pays cash. An ex-business man in Hamilton ga'id he put 12} per cent, on his goods for bad debts. Fancy 2s Cd in the £ tagged on to the present high cost of living! We are not asking any business men to sell his goods for nothing, but" I am quite convinced many are getting a good profit for them. We have only to look at some of the improvements carried out this last few years and the reason for same. The business community combine, and i do not think we are doing wrong to combine also and get the most for our money just as much as the business man. "Live and Let Live" mentions the high percentage of civil servants. If he had only stopped to think how many different branches are included he would find out it is not very high. In regard to the high wages he talks about, well I think there are very few who would not exchange their positions, as not many get over the bread and butter line and are not in a position | to start in business.—l am, etc., I CIVIL SERVANT. !