50 years of the Consumer's Institute

This month's issue of Consumer marks 50 years of its existence and a gallery of its front covers over the years is here. (We note the complaint about high-handed bnz tactics on the cover of the December 1978 issue - that bank's bad behaviour goes back a fair way!)

The magazine has provided comparative test results on different consumer products on the market, and advice on the full range of services that people are going to want at some stage from government, professionals and tradespeople.

It hasn't always made recommendations we agree with, or for that matter always got its facts right, but it does provide useful pointers and guidelines on what to look for and take into account. Certainly strong consumer watchdogs like this and the TV programs Target and Fair Go are needed to ensure a free market works the way it should.