PRICES GO UP.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20374, 3 July 1934, Page 13

PRICES GO UP.

Patent Costa on Radio Receivers. \k'«» *' •*({/»■. WELLINGTON. July 2. Prices of radio receivers in New Zealand rose to-day as a result of the change in the method of paying for the patents which they embody. Web lington retailers report a rush of pur* chasers anxious to obtain delivery of sets before the new prices became operative.

Great regret at the situation having developed in the way it had was expressed by an important retailer. “The public is entitled to know why the previous agreement between the Gov. ernment and the patent holders was abandoned, but that step having been taken every effort should have been made to make another agreement,” he said. “If there is a reason why the Government cannot make an agreement, the public should know it.” He pointed out that this might not be the end of the matter because a further set of improvements would be the ground for further demands by

patent holders. The announcement of the Government’s intention to charge sales tax on royalties had been an unpleasant surprise. It was stated that there had been no possibility of anyone except purchasers' sets carrying the increase, the prices being at a minimum already. Whether second-hand sets will have to be licensed by the patent holders is not yet decided.