The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1915. THE BOARD OF TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1915. THE BOARD OF TRADE.

In setting up a Board of Trade the Government was apparently actuated by two motives—dealing with the cost of living problem, and the prevention of infringements of the Commercial Trusts Act, which is to be made more comprehensive than hitherto. It lias become "a regular practice for the Government of the day, when faced by a new, and possibly difficult, problem to create either a Commission, or some other vicarious body to undertake the 'inconvenient responsibility that would otherwise embarass the Ministry. So far, the Government has not earned any laurels in dealing with the high cost of living problem, and whether the new Board of Trade will fare any better will depend entirely on how the members of the Board put the Act into effective operation, and that, again, depends on their being in every way fitted for their office. If the accrued results from the passing of the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Act are to he taken as a criterion of what may be expected from the new Board of Trade, then the outlook is not very promising, for the benefit derived by consumers in consequence of that legislation was nil. The principle of establishing a Board of Trade is certainly one that is to be commended, and the Government is entitled to be credited with the best intentions over this new departure, which is ostensibly an evidence of their desire to relieve the pressure of

prices on some basis of sound economy, In fixing the number of the members of the Board at three the Government acted wisely, especially as the two who are to assist the Minister of Commerce will have to devote the whole of their time to carrying out their duties, and presumably the remuneration will be on a scale sufficiently liberal to secure the services of the beat men having the special qualifications necessary for the purpose. The scope of action of the Board includes the making of inquiries generally into prices of commodities, the investigation of alleged exploitations, the examination of trade methods, ascertaining the cost of production and distribution with a view to finding out how the prices of commodities can IS cheapened, and fair dealing promoted. At present there is among the public a very strong impression that large profits are being garnered by the middleman,, and it is probable that the extended powers conferred on borough councils in relation to municipalising certain food services arc the outcome of this belief. At all events, so far as legislation can better present conditions the Government has done its duty in providing some of the necessary machinery to achieve the end in view. It does not follow that the vexed problem has been solved. That will take time, skill, and practical ability. Meanwhile we are justified in expecting that appreciable benefit will ensue from the work of the Board of Trade, always provided that the right men are selected for the work.