Profiteering Bill Criticised

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 189, 12 August 1936, Page 4

Profiteering Bill Criticised

ENFORCEMENT WILL BE MOST DIFFICULT FEATURE. Criticism of tho Prevention of Profiteering Bill recently enacted, was expressed at a meeting of the council of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce last evening. Although the measure was now on the Statute Book, the meeting should voice its protest, said Mr P. Cousins, who questioned whether businesses deliberately attempted to make unfair profits. Bather, tho endeavour of firms, in view of other legislation, would be if anything to reduce their margin of profit and to increase turnover. The Profiteering Bill was having a bad effect, in that many people were now timid of entering a store, because they imagined they were being robbed. The impression was entirely contrary to the facts of the position. A bad feature was that there was no appeal under the Act, said Mr J. H. Stevens. Mr F. G. Opie said the difficulties were only beginning with the passing of the new law. The problem of enforcement still confronted the Government. The responsibility for making many of the new measures effective was being left to Magistrates and others, and they would have to work 24 hours a day to do tho thing properly. Mr Cousins declared the Act was not at all similar to the war-time restrictions; it was more drastic.