COST OF LIVING

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19888, 18 May 1936, Page 7

COST OF LIVING

"safeguarding consumer

MR SAVAGE’S ASSURANCE. Departmental investigations. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage, made a further statement to-day regarding any unwarranted increase in the selling price of commodities. " Following the Improvement in the standard of living conditions, which is one of the main objectives of the Government, 1 have asked the Minister of Industries and Commerce to instruct, through the secretary of the Department’s district officer in each centre, to keep in close touch with any upward movement in the prices of commodities and to investigate fully the reasons for any such contingency,” said Mr Savage. ”It it the intention of the Government to ensure that consumers’ Interests will be safeguarded from unjustifiable or artificial Increases In the prices of goods following on the Government’s polloy.

“ In the event of an increase in tlva price of any commodity arising from causes beyond the control of manufacturers, importers and traders generally the Minister of Industries and Commerce has directed his officers tc see that advantage is not taken of that position to increase prices beyond reasonable margins. It is not the intention of the Government to interfere with a trader who is performing service to the community and is conlent in taking only a reasonable reward for such services.

“ The Government Is definitely opposed to any action on the part of traders who set out to exploit Improving the standard of living sonditlons of the community and to Increase the cost of living by any artificial Increase In the price of commodities.”