PRICES INVESTIGATION TRTBUNAL

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1921, Page 2

PRICES INVESTIGATION TRTBUNAL

\ sitting was held ai the Courthouse Hokitika to-day at 10 a.m. There wore present—Messrs C. P. AJhr (Chairman), E. H. Andrews and A. Mnnhire. The proceedings were taken n camera. Asked to-day by a representative of the “Guardian" of the impressions of their visit, the Chairman states what impressed the Tribunal most was the remarkable freedom of complaints in the Westland district as compared with the rest- of the territory

During the Tribunal's. short in Hokitika, enquiries had been conducted into a. motor truck transaction but this enquiry could not be completed today

Enquiries were also made into prices charged for wheat, sugar and other sundry lines A representative of the retail meat trade waited on the Tribunal when the whole question of wholesale and retail meat prices was gone into. In this connection the Tribunal stated that very thorough enquiries into the marketing of meat were being undertaken at the present time, throughout the Dominion owing to the prevailing opinion of the public that the prices had not been reduced as quickly as market conditions warranted.

A representative of a grocery firm had asked the Tribunal for the retail pVice of sugar in Hokitika. The Chairman said that after considering the cost and other charges the Tribunal had informed the grocer that they did not sec any justification for exceeding the price of (i)d. The Tribunal is leaving to-day for Grey mouth where it has several enquiries to make and will also afford the public an opportunity of making complaints. From Greymouth the Tribunal will visit all West Const, centres returning to Christchurch via Nelson, Blenheim and •Knikourn. At the latter place an enquiry will be conducted into the marketing of fish. Complaints may still be made to the Secretary of the Tribunal P.O. Box 81b, Christchurch or personally to the Inspector of Factories.