WARTIME TRADING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 21, 25 January 1940, Page 14

WARTIME TRADING

""BUSINESS AS USUAL"

WORK OF PRICE TRIBUNAL

The effect of the war on trading is discussed editorially in the January issue of the "New Zealand Draper, Clothier, and Boot Retailer." "For the first time since 1918 the Dominion has entered a New Year with the Empire at war—and this time engaged in a struggle that may be as long and costly as the last one," it is stated. "However, now that the decision has been made, the responsibility lies on those sections of.the community • who are not on active service overseas to do all in their power to preserve economic-normality. Conditions today are admittedly different from those years of 1914-18. Shopkeepers are faced with difficulties in connection with the purchase of stocks' usually obtained from overseas —a difficulty which has now been eccentuated by the shipping situation. But the slogan of 'business as usual' is just as apt and necessary today as it was in the Great ' War. With the restricted stocks now available, together with the increasing variety of production from New Zealand manufacturing concerns, Dominion "shopkeepers will keep the flag ■ flying on the home front. "Differences of opinion between the trade and the Price Tribunal on matters, of adjustment have not yet reached finality. At the last-meeting of the federation it was interesting to note that the special committee had found great difficulty in making tfre tribunal realise that there were essential differences between the drapery trade and such other trades as, for instance, ■grocery. It was felt, however, that the tribunal had undoubtedly become more favourably disposed to the trade, according to one speaker, who added that he felt it was sincere in its desire to see business emerge intact after the period of regulation was ended. When the subject was resumed later the discussion took on a Somewhat different aspect, and the first speaker in the afternoon said that the tribunal should be told that the Australian system was the only possible one and that no other formula could be suggested. ESSENTIAL TO STABILITY.

"After further discussion the federation passed a motion affirming that it was essential to the stability of the businesses of members that a trader should have the right to charge from time to time as a maximum prfce the cost to him of his goods, together with a rate of mark-up "calculated on the same basis as that on which the rate of mark-up had been calculated by him on goods of like quality before September 1,1939. The resolution went on - to state that the federation could not accept any,. responsibility on behalf of members for the results to businesses which' would be; the outcome of a scheme incorporating anything less. Nevertheless, it was agreed to give to the tribunal a list of certain standard commodities where. uniform.' selling prices had previously applied and in which co-operation between manufacturers, retailers, and the Price Tribunal should be practicable in the future. It is to be hoped that a solution, taking into account the very real difficulties of the trade, will be reached in this vexed question.

" It is recognised that the public should be protected from unscrupulous ' traders who would use the war, and the difficulty of replacing stock on a rising market for their own selfish ends. Such profiteers exist in every country, though, fortunately for the Dominion, they are very much in the ~ minority here. To prevent their attempts to obtain excess profits is a laudable aim, but the legitimate requests of the' average firm, as expressed by the special .committee are worthy of careful examination. Based . as they are on the considered opinion of-men who haye spent a lifetime in* '; £? trade, they aim merely at a reasonable rate of profit instead of a probable loss. The drapery trade . be- ; cause of its special nature, deserves sympathetic consideration."

MINING NEWS.

ir^ ey vel- D? ed£^S Co.. Ltd.— For week ending January 23, 1940: 132 hours, 91,829 cubic yards, 3270z.

BULOLO SHARES.

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) •b i V r^ LONDON, January 23. ,„ -Bulplo gold shareware quoted at £4 ■;. Ids oa, .

NEW GUINEA GOLD SHARES.

(By Telegraph—Press Association—CopyrißhtJ r w /- • LONDON, January 23. New Guinea Gold shares, Is 7d.