FURNITURE PRICES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 133, 2 December 1944, Page 6

FURNITURE PRICES

Sir, —Listening to the Minister of Finance 'speaking in the House of Representatives on Thursday night I was amazed to hear him make a categorical statement that "Prices charged by the furniture trade to returned Servicemen for rehabilitation furniture were grossly unfair."

Being myself a returned soldier recently back from a fairly lengthy period of overseas sendee; and also being in the position of having to earn my living in the furniture business, I have just completed an investigation into the current prices of furniture. I find that since the beginning of the war there has undoubtedly been a substantial increase in these, prices, and that the increase is caused mainly by the advanced cost of raw materials together with an advance in other costs which have been brought about by Government legislation; the main items being increased labour costs due to cost of living bonus, increased holiday pay, and substantially increased Sales Tax.

The Minister's statement did not cover the full facts; perhaps he is not in possession of them. For instance, he did not appear {to know that the prices of rehabilitation furniture are

rigidly controlled by the Price Tribunal at a figure which allows for little or no profit by the furniture trade. In addition to this all rehabilitation orders are subject to inspection by officials of the Rehabilitation Department. These officials will not pass an account for payment if in their opinion the furniture sold to the exserviceman is not of good quality and value. In view of the above facts I submit that the statement made by the /Minister is itself grossly unfair, and in fact substantially incorrect. I would challenge the Minister to re-examine the position and then make a further statement giving the public all the facts together with an impartial opinion in the matter. —I am, etc.,

ALL THE FACTS,