Chain-Store Competition m Grocery Trade

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7278, 4 October 1933, Page 7

Chain-Store Competition m Grocery Trade

COMMENT BY WITNESSES IN ARBITRATION COURT Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Reference to tho question of competition from chain-stores and tho employment of boy labour was made in the Arbitration Court to-day during the hearing of the Wellington grocers’ award dispute. At the end of the day’s hearing tho dispute was adjourned to the end of November. Henry Wardell, giving evidence in support of the claims of tho Wellington Master Grocers’ Union, said that largo grocers did not object to small suburban grocers having a more generous supply of juniors, but the position was quito different in regard to chainstores.

John Redmond, manager of tho Wellington branch of the Wairarapa Farmers’ Co-operative said the time had arrived when the great amount of boy labour allowed was undermining business, and Ms company thought the time had come when some different nrrangoment must be made.

,1. F. Turnbull, a master grocer, contended that all overtime should bo paid, for and competitors placed on the same basis. H. F. M. Barley gave instances of what he alleged to bo working after hours in certain chain-stores. He wa3 not afraid of competition from chainstores, he said, so long as tho competition was. fair. Ho contended that the present competition was not fair. He objected to tho system under which managers of shops could work overtime -without pay. “Since the chain-store organisations commenced business in Wellington, your business has fallen off seriously?” inquired Mr W. J. Mountjoy, who represented tho proprietors of the chainstores.

Witness: Yes. Mr Mountjoy; How do you account for that?

Witness: If these men work over time.

Mr Mountjoy: Is not this the reason, that these organisations are selling goods cheaper than you do? Witness: If they can get their labour for nothing, or very little, they possibly can. Mr Mountjoy: Your definition of unfair competition is cutting of prices? Witness: No; unfair competition is men working on Sunday aud overtime. If chain-stores keep the award, they can have as many shops as they like.