PRICE OF GOODS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 65, 9 December 1938, Page 12

PRICE OF GOODS

Minister’s Warning About Undue Increases GOVERNMENT WOULD ACT By Telegraph—Press Association. GREYMOUTII. December 8. A very delinile warning was given by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, .Mr. Sullivan, in an interview today in discussing the possibility of persons taking advantage 01. the new import control system by making unwarranted increases in the price ul goods. •J want to make it very clear that lhe Government is keeping a close watch the position in relation lo prices. Il does not take a great deal of imagination to realize that persons who seek undue profits could so mis represent lhe position about the supply of goods, either of overseas or domestic origin, as to mislead the public and secure higher prices for goods marketed by those persons.

■'Concerning many commodities produced in New Zealand, evidence already procured by the Government indicates very definitely that under its plan for extension of domestic production it should lie possible to provide goods of the same or higher quality as hitherto at prices not higher than would have obtained in the absence of import control. In fact, in a number of eases domestic industries are prepared to give undertakings to reduce prices if given the required increase in output. "L desire to give a very definite warning,” C oiicluded the Minister, "that if it is found that unwarranted increases in prices arc taking place then the Government will have no option but to take any step it. considers necessary in the public interest to control tiie position/