H.—lB

CXIX

H. Groceries. Meadowcropt, F., Agent Cadbury's Cocoa, Wellington (10/7/12 ; p. 462) — Bournville cocoa not controlled by Merchants' Association—Retail selling-conditions fixed— Re bonuses on large orders—Systems of discounts explained. Orawshaw, T. 8., Accountant, Aulsebrook and Co., Christchurch (18/6/12 ; p. 194) — No knowledge of combine in biscuit trade—Different discounts rule in different districts—Rule of trade responsible—Details refused in regard to this practice— Be protective tariff and English biscuits—Betterclass of biscuits demanded by the New Zealand public—Association practically defunct—Not formed to restrain trade. Howe, G. F. T., Accountant, Fairbairn, Wright, and Co., Christchurch (12/6/12 ; p. 118)— Re sugar and control of prices—Correspondence to Government from Fairbairn, Wright, and Co. read—Full details of operations of Merchants' Association—Tariff of prices for Colman's goods before and after " scaling " —lnfants' food prices—Merchants retained duty— Be tobacco, soap, cocoa, marmalade— Correspondence with firms quoted—Galvanized hollow-ware " scaled " —Letters relating thereto. Nottingham, A. C, New Zealand Representative, Jeyes' Sanitary Compound Company, Christchurch (12/6/12 ; p. 95)— Represented Jej'es' Company seventeen years—Prices same for fifteen years—Merchants Association tried to tariff Jeyes, and increase selling-price—Pressure brought on his principals in London by president of the association—Attempt unsuccessful—Correspondence sent to New Zealand—Clothing little dearer over seventeen years, but food not increased in cost. Pilkington, F., Manager, Fairbairn, Wright, and Co., Wellington (11/7/12 ; p. 484) — Be Varcoe's evidence—Selling below tariff rates—Scott's Emulsion referred to—Wholesale and retail prices fixed— Re starch—Merchants' Association and outside merchants' prices and discounts—Letter read from White Swan manufacturers. Pulton, G. L., General Merchant, Wellington (4/7/12 ; p. 393)— Be operations of Merchants' Association—Correspondence re matches, tobacco, and Edmonds' baking-powder-read—Re penalty of £100 for breach of scale rates—Rule quoted—Operations of butter ring—Names of AVellington Merchants' Association. Jamieson, A. W., Acting-Manager New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association, Christchurch (18/6/12; p. 204)— List showing grocery prices, 1894,1900, 1905, 1910, and 1911—Increases and decreases— Re bacon, cheese, arrd butter prices—Profits on bacon small—Causes of increased prices of groceries—Crockery, furniture, &c. —Prices vary—Tendency to be cheaper—Extended credit system—Policy of Farmers' Co-operative Association—Reasonable prices fixed—Prices more stable as the result of establishment of association —Tariff remissions have benefited consumers— Re monopolies—Association member of Retail Grocers' Association—Certain prices fixed by retail association—Nothing binding on Co-operative to observe such prices—Monopoly fix prices contrary to association's policy. Headley, D. A., Grocer, Auckland (28/6/12 ; p. 344)— Be egg market—Handles 2,000 dozen weekly—Newspaper price generally low— Be " scaled " goods—Discounts on quantities of matches. MoNab, T. D., Grocer, Auckland (28/6/12 ; p. 341)— Re egg prices—Fixed by ring—Names of firms quoted—Producers' prices depressed—Range of prices from producer to consumer quoted—Egg contracts for southern firms— Re " scaled " grocery goods. Bolton, A., Grocer, Wellington (3/7/12 ; p. 377)— Operations of Merchants' Association re " scaled " goods—Matches, brooms, salt, biscuits, starch, pepper. Sunlight soap, candles, baking-powder, tobacco, &c.—Short-weight butter and excess of moisture—Duty should be removed— Re house-rents—Comparison with Old Country—Rent here overshadows all otherexpenses—Full list of tariffed lines and wholesale prices—Short weights in jam and pepper—Condensed milk (New Zealand) " scaled " —Protective duties should be abolished to prevent " scaling," especially off flour, matches, starch, candles, corn brooms, soap, and biscuits—Retailers' profits very low—Cutting rampant. Tubnbull, J. F., Grocer, Wellington (10/7/12 ; p. 456)— Wellington Merchants' Association and control of prices—All prices advanced, of " scaled " goods— Be matches, marmalade, brooms, tobacco, starch, sugar, butter, kerosene, biscuits, mustard, &c.—Short weights of packed goods—Moisture in butter—Town tariffs or country tariffs—Country storekeepers supplied by merchants at cheaper rates—City shops pay 10 per cent, more for groceries and 10 per cent, more for biscuits than country shopkeepers. Varcob, John, Grocer, Wellington (10/7/12 ; p. 468) — " X " jam not " scaled " —Tariff ruling on certain lines— Be supplies stopped by Fairbairn, Wright, and Co.— Reason given, selling too cheap. Bowyer, C, ex Grocer and Draper, Christchurch (14/6/12 ; p. 145) — • Be Merchants' Associations methods—Boycotting supplies—Objects of association mainly to fix prices for their own benefit—Correspondence produced. Low, H. 8., General Grocer, Christchurch (11/6/12 ; p. 88)— Market not free and open for grocery-purchases—Excessive charges of wholesale merchants— Be " scaling " goods—Advantages in buying large quantities—Prices compared in a, large and small way— Be sugar— Highlander milk, mustard, Neave's Food, Bournville cocoa, &c. Westgarth, J. J., Builder and ex-Grocer, Christchurch (11/6/12 ; p. 92) — Be purchasing supplies of groceries—Methods of merchants—Supplies stopped owing to selling lower than other retailers—Later joined association and agreed to conform to selling-prices—Prices sometimes too high and gave unfair profit—Building-material increased in price four times in eighteen months—Present price of red-pine quoted. Peden, S., Master Grocer, Dunedin (6/6/12 ; p. 32)— Re tariffed goods—Selling-prices fixed,"and"dearer —Sugar, manufacturers' profits big—Competition would cheapen groceries if free and open—Local association formed to prevent cutting—Dried fruit no cheaper with duty off—Tinned fish and duty paid.