HOODWINK THE PUBLIC.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 7 July 1920, Page 4

HOODWINK THE PUBLIC.

PROFITEER-CATCHING FARCE. Christchurch, Monday. Mr F. Ellis to-day stated that his reason for resigning as a member of tho Canterbury Price Investigation Tribunal was that he was of opinion that he could servo no good purpose by remaining a member. He explained that the decision of the magistrate in the recent prosecutions had not influenced him in the slightest; in fact, liis resignation had been forwarded to Wellington on the Friday previous lo the magistrate giving his decision. Had there been no delay in the hearing of these cases he would have resignetl much earlier. He was convinced that the Tribunal would find it difficult, if not impossible, to get at the real iiro&tecrs. “Only one attempt at price fixation was dealt with by the local Tribunal,” Mr Ellis added, “namely, the overhead charges made by retail coal dealers, and this attempt,” said Mr Ellis, “more than convinced me of the fallacy of endeavouring to do so. The whole principle is wrong, and in rny opinion the Tribunal are merelj being used as a means to hoodwink the general public, and prevent them showing iheir discontent with the present situation.”