BOARD OF TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 124, 25 May 1920, Page 7

BOARD OF TRADE.

REORGANISATION IN PROGRESS.

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

WELLINGTON, Monday.

There is a report current that two members of the Board of Trade have been reappointed, but that the Government does not intend to rea'ppoint the third member of the original Board. Mr. Maeaey, to whom your correspondent put a question to-night, said he was unable at present to indicate hi* intentions beyond the fact that he is reorganising the Board. The probability is that the Premier, having waited until the term of appointment of the original members expired this month, is now undertaking complete organisation of the new Department of Industries and Commerce, as provided in the Act of last session. This empowers the appointment of a Minister of Trade and Commerce, who will be chairman of the Board, comprising 'four other members. Thia body has much wider powers than the original Board of Trade, for it willjiave specific power to conduct inquiries into any industry, hear evidence, and compel production of witnesses and documents, false evidence being punishable as perjury. Experts may be appointed to act in conjunction with the Board cf Trade as associates, who,'for the time leing, have the powers of a member of the Board. Power is given to publish information, report, or finding as the result of investigation without liability for defamation. .

One matter to which the Premier has called the attention of the Board of Trade is the fact that, although potato crops are heavy in the South and prices low, housewives in Wellington are still called upon to pay 1/ for 81b, or even 61b, a rate equivalent to l}d or 2d per lb. If the price is ljd a lb it means that it costs £10 to market and distribute a ton of potatoes, for which the (grower receives about £4.