WAR ON PROFITEERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 287, 30 August 1919, Page 6

WAR ON PROFITEERS

STEP BY PRIME MINISTER BOARD OF TRADE URGED TO ACT _J The Prime • Minister has made repre sentations to the Board of Trade' urging that the question as to whether or pot ptulilcoriiig'is going 011 in the Dominion should be investigated with a- view of instituting prosecutions' in cases where it is considered that the ilaw prohibiting unreasonable profits is being transgressed. 111 a memorandum addressed to the secretary to the Board of Trade, the Prime Minister says:. "Since 1 returned ■ to. New Zealand a little more than a fortnight ago, I have heard many complaints about the profiteering that is said .to be rampant in Now Zealand. I have not, however, been ate# to get .any really definite statement on the subject, but the fact remains itliat there is a great deal of dissatisfaction with the existing state of all'airs. The members of the Board of (Trade are probably in a befter position to understand what is going on than any other three iijen in New Zealand.' I must therefore request the Ijoard" to take advantage of the section of the Act of last year, which provides that traders making an unreasonable profit, comparing the war period and post-war period .with the pre-war period," are liable to a fine 'lip to =£200, or. if a company, up to JJlOflO. "1 know there are many factors' it operation which cannot be dealt witli in this Dominion, and I believe the 'public overlook the inflation of the currency which has been going oil for years' in every British country, 'and which was unavoidable under the circumstances that British citizen's have had to deal with. But T am afraid -there is no doubt that profiteering is going' 011, and I aslc ynj to '00k serious'.}- and earnestly into the suggestion tlint J have made, and if Ih'o board can find any reliable evidence to po upnn.' T Termest, the members to have informations laid and bring some eases before (lie Court.- so that we may-ise.er-tair - exnetlv where we are and whether additional legislation is required, during 'the coming-session."