NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 10, 29 August 1914, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

Food Commission.

PROTECTING THE CONSUMER. [Pbs Press Association.] Wellington, August 28. Mr Massey stated this evening that the Commission set up under the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Act would be as follows:—Mr Justice Stringer, president of the Arbitration Court (chairman), Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C., Messrs J. Begg (Otago), George Joseph Garland (Auckland), William J. D. Milne (Oamaru), and George Wilson (Wellington). The Commission is to enquire into: (a) The state of the prices in Hew Zealand of wheat, flour, oatmeal, beef, mutton and any other articles whatever of food or drink on the first day of August, 1914, and any time thereafter ; (b) The quantity, situation, demand, supply or possession of any such articles of food or drink in New Zealand; (c) The advisability of the exercise by the Governor-in-Council of the power to fix and determine the maximum price in New Zealand of such articles of food or drink, and whether different maximum prices should be fixed for the same articles of food or drink in respect of different forms, modes, conditions, or localities of trade, commerce, sale or supply. The Commission is to submit its first report upon a day in September to be fixed.

NAPIER VOTES £SOO.

Napier, August 29. The Borough Council last night voted £SOO to the distress fund.

THE CONTINCENTERS’ FINANCES

Wellington, August 28

Replying to a suggestion by Hon H. D. Bell that New Zealand banks should arrange means for members of the expeditionary force to change notes in England, Mr Callender, general manager of the Bank of New Zealand, suggests that the men should take drafts on the London branch of one ot the banks trading in the Dominion. “These drafts,” says Mr Callender, “we would be willing, under the exceptional circumstances, to issue to members of the contingent at par, or, what would perhaps be preferable, if the individuals would hand their amounts to their respective paymasters, we would issue a draft to the latter for the total amount. This draft the paymaster could cash on arrival in London, and account to the individuals for their respective amounts. I have referred the matter to other banks, and they have all agreed to issue drafts at par tmmembers of the contingents.”