PRICE ORDERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25213, 30 April 1943, Page 4

PRICE ORDERS

RETAIL DRAPERY TRADE COMPLAINTS OF DELAY (Special) AUCKLAND, Apl. 29. Delays in the administration of the price control system are the subject of strong criticism by retailers in the drapery trade. The multiplicity of orders, many of which are not clearly framed, is also considered a matter for remedial action. It has been stated by some Auckland retailers that they are unable to sell some goods because no prices have yet been fixed for them. They state that alarming quantities of goods have been withheld from sale for this reason. Many are of a seasonal nature and, unless new prices are obtained soon, may have to be held over until the corresponding season next year. «. Owing to the number of lines which drapers handle, they are finding great difficulty in keeping the lists of new prices up to date. They consider the present system too complicated. In some cases, owing to the fact that prices are based as at the time of purchase, there have been three different prices for the same type of goods, which happened to be purchased at different times.

Working with skeleton staffs, many retailers find the clerical work involved in handling the multitude of price orders a great burden, with which the staffs are unable to cope. Lack of clarity in the framing of the orders makes matters worse, they state. Members of the retail drapery trade who were approached agreed that some reorganisation of the Price Tribunal’s administrative system appeared to be necessary.