I. —13

No. 115. —Petition of Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (Incorporated), Wellington, and 12 petitions of a similar nature as per schedule attached. Praying for protective legislation and the extension of powers now granted to the New Zealand Board of Pharmacy. I have the honour, by direction of the Industries and Commerce Committee, which has heard lengthy evidence on and carefully considered these petitions, to report thereon as follows: — (1) That the mass production and manufacturing facilities under the control of Boots the Chemists (N.Z.), Ltd., enable them to sell at lower prices than the independent chemist. (2) That the evidence submitted to the Committee tended to prove that — (а) That there was considerable discrepancy between the prices charged for dispensing of prescriptions by Boots the Chemists (N.Z.J), Ltd., and those charged by the private chemists. (б) That the prices charged by private chemists were to a considerable extent an unnecessarily heavy burden owing to overhead costs, consequent upon the large number of dispensing establishments in operation, and the Committee is of opinion, (c) That an adequate service could be provided by a smaller number of dispensing establishments. (3) That steps should be taken to ensure that the community generally will be able to procure pharmaceutical services at the lowest price compatible with quality and reasonable payment for all necessary work in connection with the service. The Committee therefore recommends — (1) That the organization of chemists' services be regulated by license under the control of the Minister of Industries and Commerce. (2) That the operation of large-scale company pharmacies in New Zealand be not extended for a period of six months in order to enable existing chemists collectively to organize and plan their operations with the object of reducing the present scale of prices to the consumer, while at the same time providing an adequate payment for services rendered. (3) That on the expiry of the specified period, the position be reviewed by the Government, and should it be proved that existing chemists have not organized so as to satisfactorily adjust prices, licenses may be issued to such companies and persons as may be determined by the Minister of Industries and Commerce. (4) That all chemists, if employing assistants, should be required to employ a specified proportion of qualified assistants. (5) That the Government investigate the possibility of the establishment of a national pharmacy service. In conclusion, the Committee recommends that the petitions be referred to the Government for consideration.

Schedule.

W. J. Jordan, Chairman.

9th June, 1936.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at a meeting held on 10th June, 1936, the Industries and Commerce Committee passed the following resolution: " That this Committee place on record its sincere appreciation of the able manner in which Mr. W. J. Jordan, MP., has presided over and conducted the important business brought before the Committee during the term he has occupied the chairmanship, which position he has vacated to enable him to serve the Dominion in another capacity. His courteous and tactful manner and close attention to the details of the difficult matters referred to the Committee have enabled the Committee to arrive at unanimous conclusions. The Committee directs that this resolution be reported to the House." 10th June, 1936. 2—l. 13.

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PetVon. mitionCT - 1935. 156 H. S. Peacock and another, representing the Dunedin Retail Chemists' Assistants' Industrial Union of Workers. 162 Thompson, E. J., and 14 others. 163 Nees, A. L., and 10 others. 164 Thompson, E. J., and 14 others. 187 Kane, J. H., and 495 others. 190 Cometti, R. A., and 469 others. 207 W. H. Cocker, representing Boots' Pure Drug Co., Ltd.

PdJtion. Petitioner. 1936. 45 Smith, E., and 947 others. 56 Tyerman, H. B., and 91 others. 89 The Wholesale Druggists Association of New Zealand, and 405 others. 122 Ounedin Retail Chemists' Assistants' industrial Union of Workers. 127 Dunedin Retail Chemists' Assistants' Industrial Union of Workers.