TRIBUNAL'S DECISION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 142, 3 April 1940, Page 5

TRIBUNAL'S DECISION

PAPER MILLS' PRICES RISE ON DECEMBER RATES Prices representing an aver--age increase of from £1 lfts to £2 a ton over the December prices approved by the Tri-< bunal have been awarded the Whakatane Paper Mills by the Price Investigation Tribunal in " a final decision. The prices are for the March-April cycle, and ' are those worked out by accountants on the basis of the interim decisions given by the Tribunal early in March. It was stated that while the Tribunal had necessarily had to - take cognisance of the position that might arise in the event of the tribunal's findings not being acceptable to the company, nevertheless it felt that the responsibility for whatever | -.action might be taken in the future, either by the company, the Government or any others, did not lie with the tribunal. < Approval Refused. The tribunal refused to approve -of an additional £1 a ton general increase and special additions for certain boards asked for by the company over and above the pi iccs ■"worked out on the tribunal's interim findings and which, after the interim decisions, were submitted as the minimum prices at which the ■company -felt it would be able to • carry on business. The tribunal stated that it was unable to approve of an additional £1 per ton being added to the prices, as now being asked for by the company. Neither could it approve increases of £'2 and £3 a ton now •applied for in respect of vat-lined and coloured boards respectively, j as these represented additions to the prices which were the subject of the application. Further, the tribunal could not approve of the increase sought in respect of M.G. victory board. The tribunal, was of the opinion that these should be the subject of further application and investigation. Important Question. After dealing with, the economic ■position the decision concluded-. "The tribunal deeply regrets having to come to a decision which may have the effect that the --.om-- ' pany, as at present constituted, cannot obtain the necessary financial assistance to enable it to continue in production, and ventures to express the hope that some way may t>e found, either by reorganisation of the company or otherwise, wherek- will continue to produce cardhoard, especially for the duration of the war. The fact that pricts oi "certain imported cardboards aie higher than those applied for by ■'the company makes this a question *of practicable importance."