PRICE OF GOODS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 77, 28 September 1939, Page 13

PRICE OF GOODS

MAY BE INCREASES

LEFT TO TRIBUNAL

If the wholesale price of goods increases the Price Stabilisation Regulations will not prevent the Price Investigation Tribunal from approving an increase in the retail price, according to a Ministerial statement made last evening.

"The Price Stabilisation Regulations make it illegal to increase the price of goods and services beyond those ruling on September 1, just before the outbreak of war," it was stated. "There is a provision, however, giving power to the Minister to vary prices. This provision does not appear to be as widely understood as it should be, with the result that some traders are refr- • 'tig from ordering goods from abroad in the mistaken belief that they will noz be permitted to recover in prices the increased costs of obtaining the goods. Applications to the Price Tribunal, accompanied by the necessary data, will be followed by permission being granted to increase the price of goods, but in strict accordance with increased costs only.

"Applications may be made to the district officers of the Industries and Commerce Department at Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and direst to the Price Tribunal itself in Wellington. District officers to whom application is made will communicate witn the. Price Tribunal, forwarding their recommendations in each case. The utmost endeavour will be made lo facilitate quick decisions, and it will be of the greatest assistance if all applicants will provide the officers of the tribunal with full data and thereby avoid delay. Additional facilities are being provided to expedite decisions. It will be in the interests of traders to co-operate with the tribunal, and if that is done I am satisfied that a minimum of inconvenience will be incurred."