REGULATION" OF TRADE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 241, 2 July 1915, Page 5

REGULATION" OF TRADE.

THE COMMISSION'S REPORT, WELLINGTON, July I. The report of the Commission appointed under the Regulation of Trade •and Commerce Act was laid on the table of the House this afternoon cy the Prime Minister. After reviewing the position with regard to wheat supplies, the Commissioners proceeded to discuss the prices of meat, which they state will, during the continuance of the war. bo regulated by the price at which the Imperial Government has taken over our exportable surplus oS meat, and may be further modified by the .shortage of shipping space, limiting the number of live stock that can be dealt with by freezing companies. Evidence showed that retailers generally, while receiving higher prices, were seldom making more profit than in normal times, and in many instances had to content themselves with reduced profits. There was no suggestion in the evidence of a combination amongst merchants to maintain the high level of prices: on the contrary the Commission was satisfied that merchants and

traders, with a row exceptions, had acted fairly and reasonably and had not sought to take advantage of the war as an argument for profiting at the