CHECKING UPWARD TREND

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 74, 20 December 1939, Page 12

CHECKING UPWARD TREND

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received December 19, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, December 18.

In connexion with, a statement by the Government expressing its intention to take the necessary steps in regard to an undue rise in prices, the Board of Trade made today its first order under section 2 of the Prices of Goods Act, passed during the last session of Parliament. The prices of goods under the order will come into effect as from January 1. The order affects eroods mainly and necessarily used by a large section of the population, the retail prices of which must be limited to those prevailing on August 21. Where price increases represent actual rise in costs and expenses the list will be modified and extended when necessary, and it is probable, therefore, that further orders will be made from time to time.

The main objective of the order is to check the so-called vicious circle caused by continuously rising prices, followed by a consequent rise in money wages, foliowed by further price rises, and so on, which sooner or later results in inflation.

Luxury and more expensive lines of goods are not included in the list.