PRICE CONTROL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1941, Page 8

PRICE CONTROL

CEILING ORDER ISSUED IN CANADA

APPLYING TO VARIOUS SERVICES. DRASTIC AND FAR-REACHING ACTION. OTTAWA, November 3. General provisions of an Order-in-Council made public today establish a price ceiling and expand the powers of the War Time Prices Board. The order makes it an offence on and after November 17 to sell or buy goods or services at prices higher than the legal maximum. This maximum is defined as the highest price at which a person or firm sold or supplied goods or services of the same kind and quality during the period September 15 to October 11, 1941, inclusive. Quantity discounts, or other conditions of sale resulting in a lower net price must be continued. Power is given the WaiTime Prices Board, however, to vary the maximum price or to prescribe other conditions, or to exempt any person or goods. The ceiling provision does not prevent the sale of goods or the supply of services at prices lower than the maximum. Charges for goods or services in excess of the maximum are not enforceable. Any amount paid above the maximum may be recovered. Goods bought or sold in violation of the regulations are liable to seizure by the Crown. Further, the War Time Prices Board is 'given authority to recommend the removal or reduction of duties or taxes or the payment of subsidies. Eleven services under the prices ceiling are: (1) Supplying electricity, gas, steam heat and water; (2) telegraph, telephone and wireless services; (3) transportation of goods and persons, and the provision of dock, harbour and pier facilities; (4) warehousing and storage; (5) undertaking and embalming; (6) laundering, cleaning, tailoring and dressmaking; (7) hairdressing and beauty parlour services; (8) plumbing, heating, painting, decorating, cleaning and renovating; (9) repairing of all kinds; (10) supplying meals, refreshments and beverages; (11) exhibiting moving pictures.