Price Control Tribunal

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 5

Price Control Tribunal

EXPLOITATION TO BE PREVENTED Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Announcing the Government’s decision to appoint a special tribunal to exercise continuous control over prices, the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) stated in an interview that in February last he intimated tho Government’s attitude in respect to control of prices and profiteering. He said that the question of keeping prices stable in the present situation was one that had been receiving his attention and that of the Government generally for some considerable time; that he had been making himself acquainted with the steps taken in other parts of the world to prevent profiteering and other unreasonable price increases; and that out of this information the Government had prepared its own plan in respect to the steps that would be taken should necessity arise. Whilst the Government did not aim at preventing any necessary increase iu price that could be justified, it was, on the other hand, strenuously opposed to any section of the business and commercial community taking advantage of the present situation to exploit tho public by increases that were unreasonable and that could not bo justified on any legitimate grounds. “The Government has decided to appoint a special tribunal, whose function it will be to exercise continuous supervision over prices, to examine price increases, to arrange for investigations and inquiries in regard to such increases, and in regard to tho reasonableness or unreasonableness of prices, and to make recommendations to the Government thereon,” said the Minister. “In addition to this, the Government has decided to pass regulations under tho Board of Trado Act requiring persons who. are about to increase their prices to notify the tribunal to that effect and to give reasons in support of their action.” Tho tribunal will consist of Mr. Justice Hunter and an investigating accountant.