WORK OF PRICE TRIBUNAL

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24368, 21 September 1944, Page 3

WORK OF PRICE TRIBUNAL

ADDRESS BY MR JUSTICE HUNTER The opinion that price control cannot be successful unless it has the support of the people, whether traders or consumers, was expressed by the president of the Price Tribunal (Mr Justice Hunter) when he addressed a meeting of the Canterbury Manufacturers Association yesterday afternoon. , . “I am glad to be able to say that of late inspectors’ reports from all parts of the Dominion show that there has been a great improvement in the observance of the regulations,” said Mr Justice Hunter. *T think that the vast majority of established traders are honestly trying to comply with their obligations, but there are some who have to be kept up to the mark. There are many thousands of places of business in New Zealand, and inspectors cannot possibly be in them all, all the time. This is where the public can help. They can make themselves familiar with prices authorised by price order following the variations ds announced by press and radio, and see to it that they do not pay more. No businessman, purchasing his stock or materials, would hesitate to inquire the reason if he is asked an increased price, and it is surely not too much to ask people to make themselves familiar with limit prices fixed for their benefit, and not pay more.” Mr Justice Hunter outlined the history of the Price Tribunal. He also dealt with the tribunal’s policy regal ding stabilisation as it affects manufactured goods. Last evening Mr Justice Hunter addressed a meeting of the Canterbury Law Students’ Society on the subject of administrative law, making special reference to the work of the Price Tribunal.