TRADE & COMMERCE

Grey River Argus, 3 July 1915, Page 8

TRADE & COMMERCE

COMMISSIONS REPORT NO EXPLOITATION DISCOVERED. [PkU PItKSS ASSOCIATION — COPYRIGHT.] WELLINGTON, July 2. The repoi't of the Commission appointed under the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Act, Avas laid on the table of the House this afternoo by the Premier. After reviewing the position with regard to Avliat supplies the Commissioners proceeded to discuss the prices' of meat, the prices of Avhieli they state, will during the. continuance of war be regulated .by tho price at which the Imperial Government has taken over oiir exportable surplus of meat, and may be further modified by. the shortage of ship ping spaco, limiting Ihe number of live stock that can be dealt with by freezing companies. The evidence showed that retailers generally, while receiving higher pric>es, were seldom making more profit than in normal times, and in many instances han contended themselves with reduced profits. There Avas no suggestion in the evidence that there was a combination amongst the mrehants to maintain the, high level of prices. On the contrary tho Commsision was satisfied that tho merchants and traders with few excoxitions, acted fairly and reasonably, and had not sought to take advantage of the Avar to augment their profits at the expense of tlie public.