“HIDDEN” CHARGES PAID BY PUBLIC: EXAMPLES GIVEN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22890, 9 March 1949, Page 9

“HIDDEN” CHARGES PAID BY PUBLIC: EXAMPLES GIVEN

(P.A.) _ WELLINGTON. Mar. 9. Container charges on commodities ranging from tins of tomato juice to American sedan cars were described as '''hidden” charges included in the price to the public in evidence in support of the produce growers’ claims before Mr. G. G. G. Watson, arbitrator in the dispute between growers and retailers.

Exhibiting a small tin of tomato juice, B. V. Cooksley of the Dominion Council of Commercial Growers, said that the “hidden” container charge was 3d a tin and for a wooden case holding two dozen tins 2s Bd.

He spoke of the inferior quality of bone dust sacks, carrying a charge of 2s 2d a sack, and mentioned 7s as the charge for a drum of sheep dip. Crates holding fully assembled large English cars were charged to the importer at £36 each, for which about £2 was received when sold.

Cooksley produced invoices showing that the Importers of American sedan cars paid 252 dollars for crates holding nine cars in a knocked-down condition, and £l6 10s each was paid for crates for 12 smaller English cars. The crates were resold at between 15s and £1 10s.