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Appendix 10 - Industrial Commission of NSW - Report upon matters relating to the Management, Control and Operations of General Chain Stores in NSW, August 1939 - Terms of Reference

On 14 August 1936 the Minister for Labour and Industry in the New South Wales State Government, the Hon John Dunningham, referred to the Industrial Commission of New South Wales the following matters for inquiry and report pursuant to section 82 of the Industrial Arbitration Act 1912, as amended, and section 4(i) of the Industrial Arbitration (Amendment) Act 1926:

To inquire into and report upon the management, purchasing, practices, or methods of any or all of such Chain Stores conducted within the State of New South Wales, and, without in any way limiting or affecting the generality of the foregoing to inquire into and report upon-

(a) Whether the operations, management, purchasing, practices, or methods of any or all of such Chain Stores are detrimental to the interest of the State, storekeepers, shopkeepers, wholesalers, manufacturers, producers, consumers, employees in chain stores, or any other trade, business, or industry, in so far as it may produce-

(i) Undue restraint of trade,

(ii) Unfair methods of trade competition,

(iii) A diminution of trade, business or employment,

(iv) A lowering of the standard of living,

or otherwise, and if so, in what manner and to what extent.

(b) What effect have the operations of Chain Stores upon-

(i) Proprietors of other stores or shops who extend credit to primary producers and/or others.

(ii) Manufacturing, wholesale or retail chemists or druggists, or upon persons manufacturing or selling proprietary commodities.

(c) Whether –

(i) Trade advantages are obtained or obtainable by the proprietors of Chain Stores which are not available to small retailers.

(ii) The terms and conditions under which persons are employed in Chain Stores (including the respective proportions of male to female employees, and junior to adult employees) giving any advantage over other retailers.

(iii) The profits of the proprietors of such Chain Stores are excessive.

(d) What are the labour conditions prevailing in industries supplying the requirements of Chain Stores and what is the extent, if any, which existing conditions have been brought about by the purchasing practices of such organisations and the effect thereof upon the standard of living amongst those employed in such industries in the State?

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