FAIR PRICE LEVELS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 71, 21 February 1939, Page 10

FAIR PRICE LEVELS.

MINISTER’S WARNING. STEPS AGAINST PROFITEERING. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 21. The Government’s attitude in respect to profiteering was made clear by Hon. D. G. Sullivan in a statement this morning. “The question of keeping prices stable in the present situation is one that is receiving attention. I have been making myself acquainted with the stops taken in other parts of the world to prevent profiteering and other unreasonable price increases,” said the Minister. “Out of this information the Government has prepared its own plan in respect to the steps that will be taken should the necessity arise. Up to the present we have had occasional reports in respect of unreasonable increases, but so far there have not been many. “We do not desire to go further than the necessities of the situation may make imperative. Should, however, there be manifested a disposition to exploit the public the machinery to deal with the position which has already been prepared will be put into immediate operation. No new legislation is required; ample power exists, and the Government can do anything it thinks necessary by Order-in-Coun-cil- . c “A number of countries, some or them within the Empire, have had to take more drastic steps to prevent exploitation of the public than New Zealand has taken, and those countries are not administered by Labour Governments. Some people who have voiced criticism through the newspapers seem to be under tiie impression that it is not permissible to increase prices at all. Consequently, the fact that there have been some increases indicates to them a breakdown of the Government’s plans. They do not realise the real situation. The legislation that we have been working under up to the present time—the Profiteering Act of 1936—is directed against ‘unreasonable’ increases, the term ‘unreasonable’ being defined by Statute. If an attempt is made to exploit the community it may be necessary for the Government to take the same steps as those taken by some other countries, and before any person can increase a price compel him to justify such an increase before a tribunal. I do not 3esiro to take that step, hut it will be taken if the position warrants it. “I feel sure the majority of business people will play the game. The only danger is the few who by an unreasonable and selfish attitude may create difficulties for the great mass of fair-minded business people,” Mr Sullivan concluded.