PRICE TRIBUNAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26692, 11 February 1948, Page 4

PRICE TRIBUNAL

SYSTEM CRITICISED POLITICAL CONTROL ALLEGED The annual conference of the New Zealand Master Grocers - Federation yesterday decided to ask the Government to free the Price Ti'ibunal from political control, so that it could function in the same manner as the Arbitration Court.

“A short time ago the Federation of Labour complained that the officers of the tribunal were not discharging their duties adequately,” said Mr D. Cunningham (Auckland), speaking to the motion, which was submitted by the Auckland Association. "It is now suggested that changes in the membership of the tribunal are to be made. Our objection is that the tribunal should not be under the control of any Government in power, so that all parties can have a fair hearing.” The motion was carried unanimously. In the course of a discussion on free deliveries, Mr A. Braid (Taranaki) contended that the Price Tribunal did not appreciate the high costs incurred by the service grocer in providing the public with delivery service and credit facilities. If the present system of fixing profit margins for all grocers, irrespective of services rendered to the public, were to continue, the time was fast approaching when grocers’ vans would be forced off the road. With the heavy running costs many grocers were already unable to continue free delivery, said Mr Braid.

The conference decided that the Grocers’ Federation could not accept responsibility for any withdrawal by the trade of the delivery services which were apparently so much appreciated by housewives, and instructed the Executive Cfouncil to review the position. Office-bearers elected were: President. Mr A. A. Kelly (Napier); vicepresident, Mr I. R. Wilson (Auckland); council, to be nominated by the Auckland Association; secretary, Mr R. M. Barker.