ANOMALIES LIKELY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20914, 20 September 1939, Page 11

ANOMALIES LIKELY

STATE PRICE FIXATION VIEWS OF BUSINESS MEN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Many serious anomalies would result from the price stabilisation emergency regulations, it was stated at tonight's meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. The council passed the following resolution: “That the Associated Chambers of Commerce be requested to draw the Government's attention to the /act that the price stabilisation emergency regulations of September 1 have given rise to many serious anomalies, and to ask that the regulations be amended so as to give effect to the principle of prevention of profiteering without creating such anomalies as arise under the existing regulations.” Mr P. E. Pattrick, in proposing the motion, said that, while every responsible person realised the special conditions under which they were now living, he was sure t.he implications of the regulations were not contemplated by their framers. Under the price fixation regulations introduced in June, ;i merchant had to notify the Price Fixation Tribunal of any increase in price. As long as he had a good ease he could proceed with the increase with confidence. Under the emergency regulations, which became effective on September 1, it was not competent to increase any price without first getting the consent of the Minister. Constant Fluctuation Supporting the motion, Mr M. G. C. McCaul said that when a regulation was found impossible it brought the law into disrepute. While the emergency regulations had been framed with the best intentions, still, like some other legislation of the present Government, these regulations were hasty and ill-considered, and devised by people who did know much about what they were doing, lie had been advised that day that the war risk insurance rate from Antwerp to New Zealand was £7 10s per cent, and the freight had risen 25 per cent. From the British West Indies freights were up 100 per cent. Certain goods were always fluctuating in price and it was absurd that the Minister of a small country like New f Zealand should in these circumstances say there must be no increases.