COUPON TRADING.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18928, 24 April 1933, Page 8

COUPON TRADING.

SCHEME FOR UNEMPLOYED OPERATION IN HAWKE’S BAY. A SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION. Details of a scheme of 'co-operative trading through the medium of a coupon system, which was in successful operation in Napier, were explained to a meeting of Hamilton relief workers and businessmen in the Winter Show Concert Hall on Saturday night. The speakers were Mr J. H. McDonald, ■president of the Hawke’s Bay Centralised Relief Workers’ Association, and Mr E.' Mulvanah, managing secretary of the organisation, who were mainly responsible for the evolution and introduction of the scheme. Their visit to Hamilton was the outcome of an invitation extended by Dr. F. D. Pinfold, who was keenly interested in the coupon system they had evolved. The inclement weather on Saturday night affected the attendance considerably, but the speakers were given an attentive hearing, and their audience was much impressed by the good results which had been achieved in Napier. Such was the interest aroused that it was unanimously decided that the committee of the local unemployed should consider the scheme and it should be discussed at itlie next general meeting.

... Value of Co-operation. The speakers were introduced by Air C. Parsons, who presided. Air McDonald detailed the business of the recent 'conference convened in Wellington by the Smith Family, and attended by Dr. Pinfold, and went on to stress the need for closer co-oper-ation between the unemployed and the business and professional men. The Napier relief workers had realised this, and now had the backing of all sections of the community. The speaker referred, to a scheme of settlement of five-acre blocks, which was proceeding very successfully at Napier, as the outcome of the activities of the Relief Workers’ Association, in co-operation with citizens and local bodies.

The coupon scheme they had introduced was not charity, but allowed a saving of about 20 per cent on all necessities that the relief workers purchased, he continued. A committee of eight could easily operate the scheme, which would be of great ■benefit to Hamilton. Little cost was involved, and a considerable sum of money could be raised with a small outlay.

The beneficial results of co-opera-tion were discussed by Air Alulvanah, who explained that the basis of tlxe coupon system was co-operation, while a modified banking scheme was also involved. Outlining the coupon scheme, he said that coupons were used only for absolute necessities, such as groceries, bread, meat, milk, fuel, boots, boot repairs, medical comforts, blankets, fend hairdressing. To obviate members imposing on the system a scale of rations covering families of various numbers had been drawn up. The weekly rations were follows:—

How the Scheme Operates. “These are adult rations, and all children under 16 years are regarded on the basis of two equalling one adult,” said Mr Mulvanah. "Agreements to receive our coupons are entered into with a limited number of businessmen and suppliers. Coupons are-issued to members of the association at our offices on Friday and Saturday, l'or which we receive the casli to their face value. A member can purchase to any amount within the limits of his ration. The money received is banked in a coupon trust account. No charges are made on this account for any expenses incurred — not even banking charges. All expenses are met out of our management and No. 1 relief account. The coupon trust account at the bank must always be in credit to the value of the unredeemed coupons. Traders and others present their coupons for services rendered, at our office on Monday in each week. These are checked, and all accounts are presented weekly to our executive, which meets every Tuesday. * Cheques are drawn, and all accounts paid eacli Wednesday. Advantages or the System.

“Bread and milk are delivered to Ihc homes of members. In the case of milk, the town is divided into Lhree districts, to enable economical delivery. Milk vendors have undertaken to supply all the year round at -id a quart. We endeavoured to divide the town for bread delivery, but we could not persuade the bakers to agree.” Dealing with the advantages of the system, Mr Mulvanah quoted the following analysis or the monetary gain based on a family of three adults:—

The total expense involved was ill (is •id, and the gain on the full ration was ■is lid, or approximately 20 per cent. Mr Mulvanah mentioned that his organisation came into existence at the beginning of February this year, and up to the present funds nmounling lo over £IOO had been publicly subscribed. All subscriptions were solicited |iy two official canvassers, and were devoted to either the No. I relief account or the management account. Since its inception the association bail given benefits valued at over £2 ili, the whole of which had been given with the exception of a few items amounling lo £ I;) Ms. The donations included twelve tons of apples, five lons of potatoes, two tons of pears, amt a lon and a half of vegetables. All of these benefits were the, result of co-operation among the unemployed. If the unemployed of Hamilton did 1 lie same as their fel-low-workers in Napier, and look a _(Continued la next column.).

real interest in their affairs they could do the same. Municipal Currency. The speaker went on to quote from American papers on the system of bartering services for goods which was operating in certain parts. His association had decided to include in their scheme a proposition on similar lines for the farmers of Hawke’s Bay, whereby they could employ members and pay them in produce at current market values. Mr Mulvanah mentioned that lie was a candidate for the Napier Borough Council in the forthcoming elections, and if returned he intended to move at the first council meeting that municipal bonds should be issued in Napier to act as municipal currency to help over a difficult period. Another result of co-operation between Hie unemployed and Hie local bodies at Napier was a land settlement scheme on Harbour Board land. This was working very successfully, and as a result of the action of the Napier Harbour Board in standing behind the unemployed and fostering 1,1 in scheme, natural development had been made possible and much good had resulted. Community co-oper-ation was what was wanted to-day. 'l’lm unemployed in his district bad received valuable assistance from the Hawke’s Bay press in their co-opera-tive scheme.

At, the conclusion of his address Mr Mulvanah answered a number of questions. His explanation of the coupon trading scheme was very favourably received, and a motion endorsing the scheme and instructing llm local committee to consider it, and bring it forward for discussion at llie next general meeting, was carried unanimously.

No. in Groceries Bread Meat family s d •s d s d 1 3 7 0 9 2 9 2 6 6 1 6 3 6 3 8 9 2 3 3 9 4 ii 11 3 0 5 2 5 12 6 3 9 5 2 6 13 8 4 6 6 0 7 15 11 5 3 6 8 8 17 9 6 0 7 6 9 20 1 6 9 8 0

Weekly ration Gain % Cash gain Groceries .. s 8 d 9 5 d hi Bread .. • • 2 a J (U AS Moat a 9 15 fij Milk 2 4 an SA New hoots . t c» a a 0 . Bool repairs t 0 a a 4 Medicine i 0 50 r> Fuel :s 0 a a 1 2 Gas and light 2 r. in a Hairdressing 0 a 50 a