PROFITEERING.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15310, 25 February 1920, Page 4 (Supplement)

PROFITEERING.

LOCAL TRIBUNALS TO BE

ESTABLISHED.

[United Press Association.]

Wellington, Feb. 16. The Prime Minister announced to-day that the Government had decided to establish, local tribunals to investigate charges of profiteering under tHe Board of Trade Act, passed fay Parliament last year. Tribunals of the kind proposed were already in operation in Britain, where they had been able to assist the public and clear up many doubtful points. The names of members of local tribunals for the cities would be announced shortly, added Mr. Massey. Each tribunal would consist of three members, and any person considering himself or herself aggrieved by the price of any commodity or article would be entitled to place a complaint "before the tribunal and produce evidence. The tribunal would consider cases and examine the facts generally, and decide whether or not a prima facie case of piofiteering had been established. If it thought there was profiteering it would refer the case to the Crown Prosecutor in the district. Tribunals for Wellington and Auckland have been arranged and the Board of Trade is visiting Chnstchurch early to arrange the personnel of the tribunal for that oitv.