PRICE TRIBUNAL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32312, 13 September 1943, Page 5

PRICE TRIBUNAL

REPLY TO MR DOIDGE, M.P. MINISTER AT NGATEA GUARDING AGAINST INFLATION Speaking to a Gazette representative at Ngatea on Friday evening, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Supply and Stabilisation, referred to some matters raised by Mr F. W. Doidge, M.P., in his broadcast address from Ashburton in which he criticised the Price Tribunal and referred to its inspectors as “sftoopers.” Mr Sullivan said that instead of attacking the Government and the Price Tribunal for their gallant endeavours to protect the country against high prices and inflation, every decent citizen should be supporting the Government in its efforts to defend New Zealand against one of the cruellest inflictions that can be imposed upon any country, namely inflation. Prices Fixed What was, the use of fixing prices unless reasonable steps were taken to ensure that the prices so fixed were given effect to. The whole country was price conscious and eager to be protected against unauthorised price increases. In Britain enormous fines were imposed "on wealthy people who broke the price and rationing regulations. In the United States of America, Australia and other portions of the 'Empire, the most drastic action was taken to ensure that price control was made effective. Gas for Tauranga But apparently Mr 'Doidge and his Nationalist colleagues would let prices and profiteers go uncontrolled because of the support his party gets from such people. Judging by Mr Doidge’s remarks, he has little sense of citizenship or responsibility. In regard to his references to the Tauranga Gas Works, Mr Doidge has still got to answer the question, he, Mr Sullivan, put to them in Parliament as to why Mr Doidge and his friends did not organise a company to take over the Tauranga Gas Works when it was decided by the owners to close them down, or why the Tauranga Borough Council did not step in when private enterprise failed.