“MOST DESIRABLE BILL”

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1933, Page 4

“MOST DESIRABLE BILL”

OPINION OF LABOUR LEADER. PETROL PRICE REGULATION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. “This is one of the simplest and most desirable Bills we have had this session,” said the Leader of the Opposition when the committee stage of the Motor Spirits (Regulation of Prices) Bill was commenced. “The only question is whether motor spirits are being sold at an economic price or not, and a committee of this House has reported that they are not being sold at an economic price and that some control is necessary.” Mr. A. E. Jull (Co., Waipawa) said there was a possibility that the purpose of the Bill would be defeated by some companies giving concessions on sales of other articles, for instance tyres. Mr. Forbes said the Bill gave the Government power to issue regulations to control prices if this was necessary in the public interest. It had already had such power under the Board of Trade Act, but as petrol played such an important part in the economic life of the Dominion it had been considered fair to submit the question to Parliament in the form of a Bill. Provision had been made to meet evasions of the nature suggested by Mr. Jull. Mr. Forbes pointed out that if such an attempt were made by wholesalers it would easily be detected, while in the case of retailers the profit per gallon was so small that it was unlikely to be practicable. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Lab., Avon) also expressed approval of the Bill which, he said, was necessary to protect consumers. He predicted that unless. the Bill was passed this session it would be found by next session that an independent company would not be in existence and the price of petrol would have been raised.