THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. FRIDAY. “Public Service.” MONDAY, MAY 31, 1943 NO TRICKERY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3270, 31 May 1943, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. FRIDAY. “Public Service.” MONDAY, MAY 31, 1943 NO TRICKERY

It is reassuring to the public to be told by the president of the Price Tribunal (Mr Justice Hunter) that this body will not tolerate any trickery or subterfuge by its inspectors in the course of their duties. The president’s statement referred to a recent Gisborne case in which a retailer when proceeded against for alleged overcharging, informed the court that an inspector, posing' as a sufferer from goitre, had persuaded him to sell as a favour a certain brand of iodised salt not subject to a price order. It is to be recognised that the tribunal 'and the staff have a difficult and often a thankless task in attempting to maintain throughout the country a systematic supervision over retail selling. Such supervision may be necessary in the public interest; but this, together with the fact that the supervision is officially conducted, makes scrupulous fairness all the more essential. In common with his fellow-citizens the retailer has his right of protection against injustice and undue interference. Part of the duty of the control authorities should be to assist him in meeting to-day’s abnormal trading difficulties. Mr Justice Hunter’s statement suggests that this is recognised by the tribunal, and no doubt steps will be taken to ensure that the weapon of prosecution is employed only where there is reasonable ground for belief that deliberate attempt is being made 'to ignore price-fixation and exploit commodity shortages.