PRICES INVESTIGATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 24 March 1921, Page 4

PRICES INVESTIGATION

nfljn * CANTERBURY TRIBUNAL RECENT VISIT TO NELSON (By Telegraph—Special to Mail) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The Canterbury .Price Investigation Tribunal finds instead of, as was generally expected with the turn. of prices, there hieing a sharp decline in the number of complaints, the mind of the public is, if possible, more keenly exercised over the prices charged goods than ever occurred _in the period >n which prices wei’e rising. There SCOWS to prevail in the mind of the purchasing public the dominant thought that prices are not adjusting them selves as quickly as circumstances would permit. More especially is tins the case in such articles a meat, hoots, hoot repairs, and other similar lines in every .day use. Inquiries made by the tribunal throughout the territory under its supervision— Canterbury, West Coast, Ne?son,_ and Marlborough —show a large variation in prices charged in the different centres. Dealing with meat, chairman stated that the prices showed u, difference of 4(5, and in some cases Sd, per lb. between various towns. With a view to. arriving at what is a price for meat under present-daft conditions, the Tribunal is conducting an investigation, and for this-purpose has bad associated with it an expert, arid besides calling evidence from master butchers and others with eXpert knowledge, the Tribunal haying stock marked at the saleyards, and. tracing thfit stock throiigh. the abattoirs to shbjps to the consumers. By this methbd it is hoped to he able to report to Government what is a fair and reasonable price for meat based on the various market conditions. Prices charged for boot repairs hav 0 also been inquired into, and it is proposed to take early action in this mat--I ter as based on the same cost of leather. It has been demonstrated by experts and inquiries made by the Tribunal that th 0 prices'in different centres vary very considerably in this respect. Christchurch appeal’s to be as high as any place. Recently the Tribunal visited some outlying centres, as it was felt that these districts had not’received the attention they deserved, and as there were several complaints which had to ho dealt with; the opportunity was taken when visiting Nelson,_ tho West Coast, Marlborough, and portions, of the Canterbury district to 'inquire into the prices of commodities in general, particularly with regard to tlioso which maybe called “household” linos. In several cases, after a conference, the traders were informed that their prices were in the opinion of the Tribunal too high, and promises of alterations were made. In some oases it is possible, after further investigations, that legal proceedings will bo recommended. The Chairman stated that the work of the Tribunal occupied a good deal of t he'time of th e members, and it had been hoped on the turn of prices the Tribunal would have boon able to recommend the Government to discontinue its activities; but in view of the numerous complaints at present being received, and the continued discontent of tho public, it was hardly felt .that the time had yet arrived for this action. Undoubtedly the mind of the public to-day. he added, was that (he. traders had at considerable trouble established tho principle of replacement value on the rise of prices, and a large section felt that they should have an opportunity of -making compwnta to see that they received the benefits ol thjs principle under the new conditions existing.