PRICE-FIXING

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1931, Page 2

PRICE-FIXING

AUSTRALIAN AGITATION

QUEENSLAND EXAMPLE. SYDNEY", May 14. Politicians of every colour Jn Australia say that with falling wages it is more necessary than ever that

pi ice-fixing Jegis.nuon should be introduced with the .object- of stopping i,iil forms of profiteering and of seeing that the people receive the full benefit of the- lower costs of production, Tnctre is a strong belief that foodstuffs and other necessities have not been reduced in price as they should been, and this has caused a measure of unity which is seldom apparent in Australian politics. Victoria, where there is a Labour . Government- in power, seeing likely tc introduce price-fixing legislation founded on the Queensland model, which it is claimed, bos been a powerful factor in reducing the cost of living in tile Northern State. The Commonwealth organisation which fixt’d the pri c es of commodities during the wa‘ was abolished in 1920, after winch the States, with the exception of Tasmania, took control. Now, however, Queensland, with a Nationalist Government in power, is the only State in which price-fixing is practised, year in and yea r out, a s it were. The Victorian measure, passed in 1919, was called the Necessary Commodities Control Act. Under its authority a Fair Profits Commission was appointed for the purpose of regulating prices. The Act was repealed the following year and the Commission was disbanded, thus bringing to and end, for a time at least, the control of prices in Victoria. Tbs Queensland Profiteering Act was passed in 1920, and like the F u ir Rents Act of New South Wales it took deep root, and now serves as a model for the proposed Victorian legislation. It is claimed in Queensland that less than £I,OOO a year suffices to administer the price-fixing machinery, which is controller by a Commissioner who is also one of the two Industrial Commissioners of the Industrial Coun, Wide powers are vested in the Commissioner. He investigates not only prices, but quality, supply, demand and transport of commodities, and fixes maximum prices which may vary for different districts. He keeps watch for profiteering and for combinations in restraint of trade, and lie is supported by a penalty of £I,OOO or imprisonment for a year, applicable for offences under the Act. He may summon, to give him information, anyone lie thinks fit. From bis pricefixing decisions there is no appeal. Any private person may instigate an inquiry, and the Commissioner may move on his own account. Not only are prices of food reviewed, but a]go such diverse items ns ic<“. drapery, motor spirit, tram fares, board and lodging, fertilisers. sawn timber, electricity and boots. Once a price is fixed no trader can legally refuse to supply foods at that price. When the Commissioner considers that- any commodity which should he distributed

for public use is being jvithheld from j sale, he can order its seizure at a declared price, less the penalty imposed traders, it is paid, cooperate with the Department and so

far there has been no friction. It is generally 'pjgreod that 'tho stabilisation of prices secured under the Act is an assistance to trade.