GENERAL ORDER GAZETTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27391, 17 May 1950, Page 6

GENERAL ORDER GAZETTED

PA WELLINGTON, May 16. An important price order authorising a general adjustment of prices as a result of the removal of subsidies and increases in freight was gazetted tonight. The order gives a general authority for increases in prices of any goods except those which are specifically excluded from the scope of the order.

An explanatory note published with the price order states: “This price order authorises an adjustment of prices where an increase in the cost of any goods to the vendor has been caused by the removal of subsidies and the increase in freight charges. The order does not authorise any adjustment of prices for goods and services which are specifically excluded from its scope nor will it affect any price order or approval made or given after the coming into force, of this order. The authorisation relates only to actual increased costs due to the removal of subsidies and the increase in freight rates and the order does not authorise a vendor, who is now permitted to charge a percentage on cost, to add that percentage to any increased costs referred to in the order.” The order itself, which takes effect as from today, says it will not be deemed a breach of any price order (except those for the items listed below) if adjustments are made to the price of any goods to provide for (a),

the actual amount by which the cost of the goods to the vendor has been increased as a result of the removal since May 5 of subsidies on any of the ingredients used in the manufacture of goods and (b) the actual amount by which the cost of goods to the vendor has been increased by, or as the result of, any increase since May 14 in the freight charges payable in respect of the carriage of the goods within New Zealand. Nothing in the order authorises the charging of prices greater than the sum of the authorised prices on May 5 and of any additional costs resulting from alterations in subsidies and frieghts. Where new prices in terms of the order are not an exact number of halfpence, they may be computed to the next upward halfpenny.