PROFITEERING BILL.

Wairarapa Age, 29 July 1936, Page 5

PROFITEERING BILL.

SECOND READING DEBATE IN HOUSE. OPPOSITION LEADER'S CRITICISM. PRICES BOUND TO RISE. (By Telegraph—“ The Age” Special.) WELLINGTON, July 28. The second reading of the Prevention of Profiteering Bill was moved in the House of Representatives by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, who stated that it was largely covered by the Board of Trade Act, but it was desirable to bring the legislation fairly and squarely before the public. He would administer the law in a reasonable way, though not hesitating to bring any person or body before a tribunal if profiteering could be prevented. Complaints would be investigated and an offender would be given an opportunity of explaining his position before further action was considered. Certain stores sold goods at less than coat, getting compensation from other goods, making it difficult for those legitimately engaged to compete with the lowprieed chain store line. If legislation prevented this practice it would be good for industry. He fully expected to have the co operation of the business community. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes (Leader of the Opposition) said it was impossible to avoid the economic eonseqnen- j eee of rising wages. He suggested that when the Government's policy was fully in operation it would be found that it was a gold brick and the disadvant-. ages would not be long in turning, up. Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Works could say he was paying the highest wages in the world for public works. The Hon. .R. Semple: 1 * Why shouldn’t wef” Mr. Forbes: “What country can afford to pay £1 a day for unskilled workers 1” Mr. Speaker intervened with a point of order that there was nothing relevant to this question in the Profiteering Bill. Mr. Forbes went on to say that the Minister in charge admitted that there was already on the Statute Book an Act which went further. Bringing in a now Bill und&- another name, with not even the powers of the Board of Trade Awt. was simply eye-wash. Prices were bsnnd to rise. There must be a reflection of. higher costs in retail prices; otherwise traders would be forced into bankruptcy. Every country had had Hie experience of prices rising faster than wages wherever this system had been tried. The debate on the Profiteering Bill had not ended when the House rose.