LOOPHOLE IN FREEZE

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32524, 6 February 1971, Page 2

LOOPHOLE IN FREEZE

Allegation by firm (N.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, Feb. 5. Manufacturers are getting round the price freeze in a legal but underhand manner, according to a Hamilton canvas and leather goods manufacturer and wholesaler, Mr W. J. Hall jun. “Many manufacturers are supplying the goods and holding the charge back until February 15 when the price freeze ends,” he said. “This is actually legal. In many cases they have the right to do it. But it is the moral of the thing which worries me. “The Government started this thing in good faith, and it is up to manufacturers and wholesalers to make a genuine effort. This sort of thing doesn’t do much for relations with the business community and the public,” Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall said that in one case a manufacturer was selling him goods at an increased price.

“By taking them, we’re probably as much to blame,” he said, “but we need the goods, they are valuable components for our production. “The manufacturer has said to take these at the new price or they won’t supply them until after the freeze. “I suppose its a form of blackmail, but there is nothing I can do about it as they are the sole agents.”

Oil reserves.—ln the event of a cut-off in oil supplies from the Persian Gulf area, New Zealand would probably have sufficient supplies in reserve to last three months, sources in Wellington said yesterday.