“.SUBSTANTIAL MEALS"

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21112, 4 June 1943, Page 4

“.SUBSTANTIAL MEALS"

PRICE ORDER ISSUED RESTAURANT CHARGES, (P.A.) WELLINGTON- June 4. Maximum prices fbr certain meals, described as “substantial” meals, comfnonly served to the public in restaurants and other eating houses, are fixed by a price order gazetted last night and will come into effect on June 14. The Price Tribunal states that a further price order is to be issued within, the next few days fixing the maximum' charges for certain light meals, such as are served in tearooms and milk bars, etc. Neither of these orders will apply to meals served in hotels or boarding houses. The order had been issued in the interests of the public, the tribunal stated, and would enable appropriate action to be taken when unauthorised charges were made. It would also protect traders who had complied with the regulations and had not increased their prices without the tribunal’s consent. A considerable number 'had increased their prices without authority and, moreover, with the advent of visiting servicemen the practice had arisen in some quarters of charging unreasonable rates.

Tiie order defined the number and content of courses for various prices as well as the charges to -be made for certain extras. It also required that the quality and quantity of meals and all amenities and services must be maintained as hitherto. Provision is made for an additional charge of (id for meals ordered between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. For meals served at any time on certain statutory holidays, a further additional charge of 3d is permitted to offset, overtime rates. As no overtime is provided for work on Sundays, the charge on Sundays will be the same as for normal week days. The charges in the order arc detailed. For instance, a three-course meal’ is 2s. a fish meal of flounder, blue' Cod or sole 2s (id, other fish 2s, and extras, such as eggs, 5d each.