PRICE OF PETROL

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 146, 18 December 1933, Page 9

PRICE OF PETROL

FIXATION PROPOSED

MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM

BILL BEFORE HOUSE

Provision for the fixation, by Order in Council, of maximum and minimum selling prices of motor spirits, ill line with a decision of Cabinet which follows closely in the wake of the recommendations of the Select Committee | which considered the issue, is contained in Government legislation introduced in ihe Housa of Representatives on Saturday night. "Price" is given an interesting definition. It includes "every valuable consideration whatsoever, , whether direct or indirect; and 'indirect consideration' includes every valuable consideration whatsoever, which in effect relates to the sale of any motor spirits, although ostensibly relating to any other matter or thing." "Sale" includes barter and ever/ oHkt disposition for valuable, consideration. The Bill seeks to empower the Gov-ernor-General, on the recommendation of the Minister o£ Industries and Commerce, to issue from time to tinio Orders in Council fixing the maximum and. minimum prices at which motor spirits may be sold in the Dominion. Different maximum and miuimum prices may be fixed generally according to different forms, modes, conditions, or localities of salo or. supply, and, in particular, regarding sales by wholesalers and retailers-, sales for delivery within any specified area or locality br of different qualities, grades, or classes of motor spirits; sales to or for the use of different persons, according to the quantities purchased by them in any periods or to, the purpose for which the motor spirits are intended to be used; and any other classes of sale that may be prescribed by regulation, "TAIH MARKET VALUES." In the fixation of the prices regard must be had to the fair market values of motor spirits in the countries of origin or the common countries of importation, as well as fair and reasonable importation costs, including Customs duties and other landing charges', and insurance, storage, sale and distribution costs. Failure to allow i'or any of those considerations 'will not make the Order in Council invalid, nor will the ground of insufficient-or excessive allowance. It will be an offence to sell or agree to sell above the maximum or below the minimum price. Secret discounts, refunds, rebates, allowances, premiums,, or coupons designed to defeat the price fixation are prohibited. The penalties prescribed for offences are '£200 in the case of an individual and £1000 in the case of a company or other corporation. Authority is given the Minister to require from those engaged in the importation, distribution, or sale of motor spirits any books or documents of which copies can be made. Failure to comply with this requirement makes the offender liable to. a fine of £100. The Minister may require from the same source written information as to the price of motor spirits, whether in New Zealand or elsewhere, or particulars regarding the importation, sale, or distribution. Failure to supply information or the provision of false or misleading information will be punishable by a fine of £100, accompanied by a further fine of £10 for each day the default -continues. Prosecutions for offences must be instituted within three years of commission. In order to give full effect to the purpose of the Bill, the GovernorGeneral is empowered to issue regulations prescribing the matters to be included or other records to be kept by those engaged in th%industry; the form in which the accounts shall be kept; and all other matters considered necessary for the purpose of the legislation.