DEARER LIVING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1936, Page 9

DEARER LIVING.

COMPLAINTS TO M.P.'S. ADVANCEMENT OF PRICES. DRASTIC ACTION PROBABLE. (By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The declaration by the Prime Minister, the lit. Hon. M. J. Savage, that the Government will take steps to prevent any increases in salary—and consequent purchasing power—being absorbed in rising costs of living, could have been made in the present tense instead of tlio future, for some preliminary investigations along these lines have already commenced. Complaiifts have reached Members of Parliament concerning many specific cases of advanced prices with explanations by retailers that they are due to increasing costs imposed 011 business by the Government's legislation. Complaining Members, however, appear

to be reassured by what they hear of the activities of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. .'.mono the reports received by Members of the House are complaints concerning several rises in timber which is likely to constitute a problem when the housing programme is commenced. It is admitted that there is a case for timber millers in connection with recently announced rises in butter boxes, as special timber is needed lor supplying the Wellington-Manawatu area, where lists of prices show the greatest increases. The timber has to come from longer distances than formerly. Butter box prices have not advanced liiiiforinlv throughout the Dominion, but in the Wellington-Manawatu district a standard box, instead of costing 1/3} to 1/'<"*> i this season, will be sold ac 1/SJ to 1/9. _ „ , , The reported action of at Zealand boot manufacturer in revising his wholesale price list has aroused lobby comment and there are also reports regardin" higher costs of clothing and of some lines of imported goods which cannot be affected by increased factory costs in New Zealand, although the coming into operation of the Shops and Offices Act would have a bearing on retailers oveihead costs. Cabinet Action Contemplated. There is reason for ' stating that Cabinet has already had the whole question under consideration and is prepared to take drastic steps if required, ev<sn going so far as to issue a blanket Orde l '- in-Council under the Board of Trade Act, which is now wholly administered with the authority of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, fixing general prices at some point prior to the date on which traders began to get concerned over their costs. No additional legislation is required to cope with any of the complaints which are being received, at existing legislation—primarily the Board of Trade Act, 1919, which was passed to deal with wartime difficulties — is considered adequate, for under its provisions the blanket price-fixing regulation could be made operative and the Minister has power to order judicial inquiries into complaints of over-chargi:i;j so as to secure, in terms of the statute, the proper regulation in the public in terest of prices of goods and rates of services. At such investigations the Minister can require the production of all relevant books and documents, and refusal to give information involves further proceedings in the Supreme Court on a charge of contempt.