PRICE CONTROL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1939, Page 9

PRICE CONTROL

REGULATIONS GAZETTED POWERS OF TRIBUNAL. LIST OF GOODS AFFECTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Regulations requiring price increases for prescribed goods and services to be first notified to the Price Investigation Tribunal were gazetted last night. As already announced the tribunal is to have the powers of judicial inquiry and investigation under the Board of Trade Act. The members of the tribunal are Mr Justice Hunter, who is chairman, and Mr H. L. Wise, M.Com., A.R.A.N.Z., advisory officer of the Department of Industries and Commerce. The regulations, are to come into force next Friday. Persons engaged in selling the goods prescribed in the schedule to the regulations cannot sell them at a price abovij the ruling price yesterday without first giving notice to the .tribunal of the higher rate to be charged and of the reasons for the increase. This notice is to be given by means of registered letter addressed to the Price Investigation Tribunal. Wellington. The same conditions are to apply, with the necessary modifications, to fees charged for the performance of prescribed services other than a contract of service between master and servant. No notification of prices is required in the case of goods sold at a price fixed by other regulations under the Board of Trade Act, 1919, or the Motor Spirits (Regulation of Prices) Act. 1933. The same applies to goods sold at public auction, goods of a perishable nature, and goods sold as second-hand goods. It will be an offence to attempt or conspire to do any act declared by the regulations to be unlawful. It is also declared to be an offence to incite, aid, abet, counsel and procure any other person to commit, an offence against the regulations. In announcing last month the intention of the Government to appoint the tribunal, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan, said the functions of the tribunal would be to exercise continuous supervision over prices, to examine price increases, to .arrange for investigations and inquiries in regard to such increases, and in regard to the reasonableness or ■ unreasonableness of prices, and to make recommendations to the Government thereon. The tribunal would be able to call persons before it, if necessary, to give evidence in support of any increases in prices. The tribunal would examine the reasons put forward for the increase, and if such increase was not justified the matter would be taken up by the tribunal with the parties concerned. This procedure would make for more effective control over prices. The goods covered by the regulations are as follows: — Any article of food for human consumption, and ingredients used in the manufacture of any such article. Aerated waters, mineral waters, and beverages. Bags and sacks of all kinds. Baking-powder, yeast, and similar preparations. Bran and pollard. Brushes, brushware, and brooms. Candles. Chinaware, earthenware, and porcelain ware. Cream of tartar. Disinfectants.