ANTI-PROFITEERING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 44, 22 February 1939, Page 8

ANTI-PROFITEERING

ACTION IF NECESSARY WARNING BY MINISTER MACHINERY IS READY [ Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 21. The Government’s attitude in respect of profiteering was made clear by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, this morning. "The question of keeping prices stable in the present situation is one that is receiving attention,” he said. "I have been making myself acquainted with the steps taken i«n other parts of the world to prevent profiteering and other unreasonable price increases. Out of this information the Government has prepared its own plan in respect to the steps that will be taken should the necessity arise. Up to the present we have had occasional reports in respect of unreasonable increases, but so far there have not been many. "We do not desire to go further than the necessities of the situation may make imperative. Should, however, there be manifested a disposition to exploit the public machinery to deal with the position, which has already been prepared, will be put into immediate operation. No new legislation is required. Ample power exists and the Government can do anything it thinks necessary by Order-in-Coun-cil. "A number of countries, some of them withi.n the Empire, have had to take more drastic steps to prevent the exploitation of the public than New Zealand has taken and those countries are not administered by Labour Governments. The Real Position. "Some people who have voiced criticism through the newspapers seem to b( under the impression that it is .not permissible to increase prices at all. Consequently the fact that there have been some increases indicates to them the breakdown of the Government’s plans. They do not realise the real situation. The legislation that we have been working under up to the present time, the Profiteering Act of 1936, is directed against ‘unreasonable’ increases, the term unreasonable being defined by the Statute. If an attempt is made to exploit the community it may be necessary for the Government to take the same steps as those taken by some other countries, and before any person can increase a price, compel him to justify such increase before a tribunal. *T do not desire to take that step, but it will be taken if the position warrants it. I feel sure the majority of business people will play the game. The only danger is a few who. by their unreasonable and selfish altitude. may create difficulties for the great mass of fairminded business people." Mr. Sullivan concluded.