SOFT DRINKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23850, 28 December 1940, Page 8

SOFT DRINKS

MAXIMUM PRICE FIXED RETAILERS CONCERNED OFFICIAL ORDER DISREGARDED Action has been taken by the Price Investigation Tribunal to iix the maximum price of bottled soft drinks, which are at present sold at varying rates all over the city. In a telegram sent to its AucklaifW representative 0:1 Christinas Eve the tribunal advised that these drinks were not to be sold at more than 4Jd each, and this was passed on to Mr. J. C. Malfroy, secretary of the Retail Confectioners Association, and also to Mr- C. C. Kinc. secretary of the Auckland Confectioners and Dairymen s Association, ( Incorporated. , ~ Efforts were made to reach all members of the trade as soon as possible bv both associations, but considerable uncertainty as to the exact nature or the tribunal's wishes seems to na\e existed, particularly as at that time the Christmas rush gave shopkeepers little chance to consider their actions under the new conditions, As a result inquiries yesterday revealed 110 case in which the instructions had been carried out by retailers who generally sell I above the new fixed price, .even the railway stall retaining its price or Od. Hotels and milk bars also made no change In the case of many smaller shops the drinks are normally so.d at 4d. so that in their case any change w.il be an increase. Main- shopkeepers regard the measure with alarm. It is stated that the ! price was only reduced to 4d in tj ie rear.- of tlie deuression to attract disj appearing trade and that conditions have changed considerably since then. Glasses, which are continually used i am! often broken and even taken away ;bv cii.-tomers, have doubled in price I recentiv. one shopkeeper said, and tea j towels 'and cleaning cloths, which are i needed in dozens over a week, have I also materially increased in cost. Ihe (distinction between selling drinks and | other confectionery was also pointed lout, drinks involving a relatively large j amount of work, including washing and sterilising after the customer has gone. MVith all this, as well as the provision of straws and the cost of refrigeration for drinks kept on ice. it is felt that the extra charge is justified. A manufacturer of soft drinks said that apart from the automatic increase of o per cent in sales tax, no alteraI tion had been made to the conditions ! whereby the drinks were supplied to shops.