EXCESSIVE PRICE ALLEGED

Southland Times, Issue 24593, 15 November 1941, Page 8

EXCESSIVE PRICE ALLEGED

Sale Of Two-Ounce Pot Of Ointment

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, November 14. A charge of selling a two-ounce pot of catarrhal ointment at an unreasonably high price was preferred against Kwong Simpson, aged 42, a Chinese herbalist, formerly of Auckland and now of Hastings, before Mr F. H. Levien, S.M. The charge was laid under the Board of Trade Act. It was alleged that the ointment, which was sold for £2/6/-, could be dispensed by a chemist for 3/-. Mr V. R. Meredith, for the prosecution, said that on Apirl 18 the defendant was consulted by A. Duganzich, of Dargaville, a Dalmation, at Auckland. Duganzich became dissatisfied and complained. An officer of the Price Investigation Tribunal obtained a pot. of the ointment, which was analysed by Mr K. M. Griffin, Government analyst. In reply to a questionnaire sent to the defendent by the tribunal it was stated that the ointment contained eight ingredients. The cost of manufacture, including a root named ginseng, involving £7, was £B/8/6 and this provided six two-ounce pots. A description in English and Chinese of the method of preparation was also supplied. The Government analyst said the ointment sold by the defendant bore no resemblance whatever to the prescription. . Mr T. Henry, for the defendant, said other services were included in the price of the ointment. The defendant claimed that the ingredients stated were ii. fact used. A secret formula was also involved and the total charge was not excessive.

Evidence concerning the manner in which the ointment was prepared was given by the defendant. Cross-exam-ined, he said he could not recall the number of individual cases of treatment for .sthma, tuberculosis and cancer which Mr Meredith alleged he had given. He recalled telling a blind man that he could be cured of his disability in 19 weeks, and stated that the man said he had become much better. To the Magistrate the defendant said that half of the jar was composed of menthol ointment costing 1/- to 1/3 an ounce. ''ecision was reserved.