“NOT NEEDED”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20021, 21 August 1939, Page 7

“NOT NEEDED”

MINISTERIAL ACTION

INCREASED BEER PRICES

MR. SULLIVAN’S OPINION

(Special to the Herald.) WELLINGTON, this day

The fadt that Ministerial intervention was not needed when beer prices were raised was a point stressed by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, when the controversy over the subject was brought to his notice this morning.

His attention was called to the fact that in the original announcement regarding the Price Tribunal the list of commodities to be covered by its operations included alcoholic beverages.

The Minister explained that the requirements of tile law were that if the price of a commodity was raised this had to be notified to the authorities It was then the duty of the tribunal to consider whether the increase could be justified and, in important cases, it would hold 1 a judicial inquiry, when it had) the right to call interested parties to ascertain the relevant facts, including costs, and to submit witnesses to cross-examination, regarding the whole position. “There have ibeon numerous cases,” added Mr. .Sullivan, “where prices have been reduced following an examination of the position, by the Price Tribunal, and! I have no doubt that it will follow .the normal procedure which I indicated in connection with this matter.”