IMPORT PRICES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 January 1939, Page 6

IMPORT PRICES

alleged profiteering WARNING OF MINISTER OF INDUSTRIES. ACTION TO BE TAKEN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A warning that profiteering on account of the import regulations would not be tolerated was given by the Minister .of Industries and Commerce (Mr Sullivan) today. “My attention has been drawn during the past few days to statements which have appeared in papers regarding increases in prices.” said Mr Sullivan. “I refer particularly to a news item originating from. Auckland concerning grocery lines allegedly affected by the import restrictions and in respect of which advances in prices have been made by wholesale suppliers and by retail shops. Some of the lines affected were matches, Australian canned fruit and salad, canned apricots, canned vegetables, imported biscuits, canned asparagus, English meat pastes and imported sauce. It was stated that increases in these lines had been brought about through some wholesalers advancing their prices for their remaining stocks in expectation of a coming shortage. I also refer particularly to a statement which appeared in the “Dominion" on' January 20, to the effect that some Wellington wholesale grocery houses had advanced prices by 5 per cent on practically all tinned foodstuffs—Sardines, salmon and herrings being among the lines so affected. The reason given was a shortage of supplies because of the import restrictions. There is in my opinion no justification whatever for such an increase in prices, and where such increases have taken place, allegedly on the grounds of shortage resulting from import control, such increases amount to exploitation of the public. I wish to make it clear that the Government will not hesitate to take immediate action, either under the Board of Trade Act, or the Prevention of Profiteering Act.”

Mr Sullivan said officers of the Department of Industries and Comnpercc were at present investigating increases said to have already taken place and wherever wholesalers and retailers had advanced their prices for the reason given, they would be well advised to reduce their prices again.

Through the Department a very close watch would be kept- on prices, and the public could be well assured that the Government would’ not permit either wholesalers or retailers or anyone else to take advantage of the Government’s import control policy to exploit them in any shape or form. Heavy penalties were prescribed by the Board of Trade Act and the Prevention of Profiteering Act, and the Government would not hesitate to take action in any case involving breaches of these Acts.