POOD PRICES.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13662, 2 September 1916, Page 8

POOD PRICES.

WORK OF THE BOARD OF TRADE, MUNICIPAL BODIES' POWERS. WELLINGTON, August 31. What is being dqne to enforce the recommendations'of the Board'of Trade when it finds that retail prices are unreasonably high? A representative .of the Lyttelton Times-has;been making inquiries, but has not been able to discover that any action has been taken by the Government to follow up the work of its investigators. The board has been able to do a little for the consumer.by sifting facts, and demonstrating to traders that their prices' are too high, but its'power for good ends with moral suasion.

lii a summary of the board's operations the following reference to bread prices in several towns in Auckland province contains a very illuminating contrast; "At Thames price of bread reduced, after conference with the bakers, to correspond with Auckland prices; estimated saving to Thames consumers, £2OOO per annum. At Hamilton and Pukekolie, board unsuccessful in reducing the prjcit of bread, which is considered unreasonably high,," One member of the National Government appears to realise the need of action, if'only in an imlirct manner. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Uon, G, W, Russell, intends to mrcnlariso all boroughs, pointing out to them the powers they have had conferred upon them under the statute of 1915 which extends considerably the scope of municipal trading activities. Any effective move under the Act is subject to the approval of the Minister of Internal Affairs, and his communication, to local bodies indicates that, he is prepared to make regulations applicable to any council, so that it may i\ SO to the full the powers conferral by the law. '