Twenty price rises approved

Press, 3 August 1983, Page 2

Twenty price rises approved

PA Weellington The Trade and Industry Department approved 20 price rises under the hardship provisions of the price freeze in the week ended July 27.

During that period the department received 56 hardship applications, said the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Templeton. Ten applications were declined and nine withdrawn.

Over the same period the department investigated 78 complaints of breaches of the freeze and found that 67 (86 per cent) of the prices charged were in order.

The department received 72 complaints during the week. The chief categories were groceries (18), fees for services (13), and restaurants and takeaways (5). Hardsip applications approved included.—

Ceramic Pipes, Wellington, Ltd, increases ranging from 7.5 per cent to 15 per cent for ceramic pipes and fittings; College House, Christchurch, an increase of 5.13 per cent for boarding fees; H. B. Fuller Company (N.Z.), Ltd, Auckland, an average increase of 9 per cent for sealants and adhesives; J. B. Gilberd and Sons, Ltd, Wanganui, increases of 5 per cent on sandsoap, detal pumice, and caustic soda and 3.5 per cent increase in soda crystals and hand cleanser; International Carpet Company, Ltd, Auckland, an average increase of 12.5 per cent for carpet; Penfolds Wines, Ltd, Auckland, an average increase of 7.6 per cent for wine.

Companies granted dispensation under regulation 11(2) and permitted to pass on increased costs from suppliers include: Cyclone, C.M.I. Industries, Ltd, Christchurch; Cyclone, C.M.1., Ltd, Christchurch, Eclipse Wire Products, Ltd, Palmerston North; Hurricane Wire products, Ltd, Christchurch, all barbed wire.