More than 600 price rises being investigated

Press, 26 July 1984, Page 11

More than 600 price rises being investigated

PA Wellington The Trade and Industry Department was investigating 580 price rises charged by smaller firms and started another 34 in * the fortnight ended July 17. Figures published by the department showed it completed 31 investigations into price rises by non-notifying traders and received 76 inquiries from the public during the fortnight. Under the price surveillance scheme, manufacturers with an annual turnover of 510 million or more, and firms supplying services with an annual business of 53 million and above, must notify the department of planned price rise increases. Smaller firms do not have to notify the department but must keep a record of price increases. During the fortnight, 40 notifications Were received and 36 were cleared. Among those cleared were increases in the price of many foodstuffs including bacon, ham, jams, honey, tomato sauce, dried fruit, chocolate products, and salad dressings. Detailed notifications cleared or approved in the two weeks to July 11 were: Carter Holt Central, Ltd, Galvanised Corrugated Steel, spouting etc, 5.38 per cent average, increased cost recovery. Tanner Couch, Ltd, playing cards, 10 per cent, increased cost recovery. N.Z. Forest Products, Ltd, beer crates, 6.4 per cent, increased cost recovery. Wilson and Horton, Ltd, “NZ Herald” newspaper cover price, 20 per cent, increased cost recovery. Wilson and Horton, Ltd, newspaper advertising rates, 7.5 per cent, increased cost recovery. AHI Plastic Extrusion Company, building and agricultural film, 5.1 per cent average, increased cost recovery. AHI Metal Containers, cans for paint/food, 5 per cent average, increased cost recovery. Auckland Municipal Abattoir, meat slaughtering service, 4.9 per cent average, increased cost recovery. Dominion Breweries, Ltd, DB Motor Hotels, accommodation rate, Royal Hotel, Auckland, single 12.2 per cent, double 3.4 per cent, increased cost recovery. Rotorua, single 10 per cent, increased cost recovery, double nil. Hellaoy Peach Products, Ltd, bacon and ham products, 3.5 per cent average, increased cost recovery. Lion Breweries, Ltd, hotel division, hotel accommodation charges, 6.5 per cent average, increased cost recoveiy. Fisher windows-AHI aluminium, aluminium joinery, 7.1 per cent average, ladders, 13 per cent average, increased cost recovery. Nestle NZ, Ltd, chocolate assortments and associated products, 6.5 per cent average, increased cost recovery. Butland Industries, Ltd, jams and preserves, 3.9 per

cent average, increased cost recovery. Cambridge Clothing Company, Ltd, men’s outerwear, 4.93 per cent average, increased cost recovery. Arthur Yates and Company, Ltd, broad bean seed (bagged), $5.50 per 50kg, economic viability and maintenance of supply. Union Maritime Services, Ltd, terminal charges at Auckland, Mount Maunganui, Wellington, Nelson, Lyttelton and Dunedin, 9.3 per cent average, increased cost recovery and assist economic-viability. Butland Industries, Ltd, jams, honey, tomato sauce and related products in portion control units, 2.7 per cent average, increased cost recovery and assist economic viability. Vegetable salads, dressings and related products, 3.8 per cent average, increased cost recovery and assist economic viability. Gold pack fruit (not mixed), 5.7 per cent, increased cost recovery. Cadbury Schweppes Hudson, Ltd, buzz bar multi pack, 14 per cent in wholesale price, increased imported cost recovery. G. L. Bowron and Company, Ltd, sheepskin babycare rugs, decorator rugs, shortwool sheepskins and double-face clothing leather, 6.2 per cent to 8.3 per cent, materials, raw sheepskins, local and imported, tanning chemicals, wages, gen-

era! wage order and fuel Mount Cook Landlines, Ltd, ski bus service, QueenstownCoronet Peak, 22 per cent, fuel, road charges, tyres and general wage order-wages. Griffin and Son, fancy tin prices (biscuits), 7.6 per cent average, increase in raw materials. AWA (Ni), Ltd, FUS7B car stereo unit, 11.7 per cent, increase in raw materials and freight LC.I. Tasman, Ltd, animal health products, 9.0 per cent average, increase in raw materials and overheads. Salmond Industries, Fenjal bath products, 11.5 per cent average, increase in raw materials, wages and .overheads. Prudential Assurance Company, Ltd, motor-vehicle insurance, 12.5 per cent average (range 0 to 15 per cent), increased costs through claims. Modern Freighters, Ltd, Refrigerated freight cartage, 8 per cent average (range 4 to 9 per cent), recovery of transport related cost and to assist economic viability. BP Oil N.Z., Ltd, bitumen, 15.1 per cent, increased costs (including external fees). Commercial Union General Insurance Company, Ltd, livestock insurance, 20 per cent, increased costs through claims. Commercial Union General Insurance Company, Ltd, crop insurance, 33% per cent (also

change in excess for North Island maize), increased costs through claims. Caltex Oil (NX), Ltd, marine oils OMC Li-vis gear case lubricant and OMC sea lube premium, 3.3 per cent, imported costs. Television New Zealand, advertising rates, 3 per cent, increase in overseas programme, wage and overhead costs. Two notifications relating to new product lines have not been included.