GROCER FINED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 196, 28 May 1940, Page 3

GROCER FINED.

PRICE OF TEA TOO HIGH. (Per Press Association). PALMERSTON N., May 27. The first informations under the Price 'Stabilisation Emergency Regulations were heard in the Magistrate’s Court, when two charges alleging breaches were preferred against Harry Jackson, a grocer. The defendant pleaded guilty and was fined £1 and costs on one information, and • convicted and discharged on the other. The charges were that lie sold two half-pound packets of tea at a price higher than permitted without the authority of the Minister for Industries and Commerce or the Price Tribunal.

The prosecuting solicitor said the customer was charged Is lid instead of Is 6d. No permission had been granted for ail increase in price, which, however, came some days later. The customer, after inquiries, sought a refund from the defendant, who refused. An inspector of labour visited the shop. In the meantime, the price of tea. had been incresed, by authority, to 3s 6d a pound, but the inspector was charged Is lid for half a pound. When he explained his identity, the defendant returned the 2d.

The defending solicitor said that at the time of the breaches the whole trade was in a state of confusion.

In imposing the penalty the Magistrate (Mr H. P. Lawry) said lie would take into consideration the fact that the breaches were the first laid under thei regulations, and imposed a. penalty on one only.