WORK OF THE TRIBUNALS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1860, 9 July 1920, Page 3

WORK OF THE TRIBUNALS.

AUCKLAND MEMBER’S A 7 IE AYS

The. allegation made hy Mr G. ,Ellis, a retiring member of the Christchurch Prices Investigation Tribunal, that the tribunals are futile and unable to reach the real profiteers* was referred to tin* chairman of the Auckland 'tribunal, Air AVesley Rpragg. • -Mr Rpragg said that probably every member ol the tribunals had felt he would like to quit, for'reasons similar to those given'by Air Ellis, biit ’ Quitting was not always the most helpful thing to do., ft would he iqojisn fc« say that the means at the command ol the tribunals-were adequate for the work, hut it was confidently expected that the matter would he remedied during the present session of Parliament. He did not agreb with Air Ellis that the little things were too little to he attended to. One drew the line at trivial complaints, merely vexatious quibbling over small overcharges, accidental or otherwise, upon articles which could he. done without or which were of infrequent use. But when it came to foodstuffs. clothing, fuel, and other articles of daily need, the small re'eurring overcharges' were not trifles, especially for the poor to hear, and such abuses demanded correction. The tribunals had accomplished 'much good, honest work, and in Ids opinion had amply Justified their existence and would do more so when- certain technicalities were removed.—Herald.