BOARD OF TRADE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3496, 26 May 1920, Page 5

BOARD OF TRADE.

RIQHRGANISATION IN PROGRESS. WELLINGTON, May 25. There is a report current that twc inenibers oi’ the Board of Trade have ‘mi-e-n reappointed. but that the Govern-nzen-t does not intend to re-appoint the third member of the original Board. Mr Massey’, to Whom your correspondent put a question 1-o-night, said he was unable at p_l-esent to indic:it.e his intentions beyond the fact. that he is re-organising the Board. The probabilty is that the Premier, having Waited until the terffi‘ of apliointnient of the oi-igifiifl members expired this month, is ITo"fi’ undertaking complete (_)l'f‘.{i{}liSatioll of the new D€'}'\a.‘rtlllent of industries and C'oln’ln"erce. as in-or}-"led in the Act of last session. This «:~:'s:powers the a,ppoin"cment of 2. Alinisier of Trude and Conifiniei-ce, who will be chairman of the Board. comprisng four other nlem'bers. This body has nl‘uc-‘.l wider powers than the original Board of Trade, for it will have specific pow:-gr to conduct inquiries into any industry, hear evidence, and compel production of witnesses and documents, false evidence being v_9un:'shable as perjury. Experts may be appointed to act in conjunction with the Board of Trade as aSSOOi<Ii9S: W 110: for the time being, have the DOW?’-TS of a member of the Board. Power is given to publish information ,report, or finding as the result of investigation without liability fog: defamation.

One iinatter to which‘ the Premier has called the attention of the Board of Trade is the fact that, alhougb potato crops are’ heavy in the South and pl-imes 30w. hr_»u'3(~w\'ive's‘ in Vveiliagtgn

are s’r3ll 6ai}ed upon to pay 1/ fogr’ Slb Or even 61b, 3. rate equivalent. to 12,6. or 2d per lb. If the price is léd a. R? in means ‘that. it costs £lO to nlar£i'e'f_ and distribute a ton of potatoes, for which the grower receives about £4.