BOARD OF TRADE.
COST OF LIVING QUESTION.
EVIDENCE IX WANGANUI,
Yesterday Messrs W. G. McDonald, P. Hally, J. R. Hart and J. W. Collins (secretary), members of the Board of Trade heard evidence in rugarfi to pre-war prices of different commodities in Wanganui. The acting-chairm.an (Mr. G. V. Mcbonald) pointed out that ali'th-3 member*: vere ai pointed on te'U'.s of equality, and he (as chairman or the present meeting) was not in any higher position than his fellow-mem-bers, as the office of chairman -vas movable position, which any of the gentlemen of the commission hold. By the Industries and Commerce Act Mr. Massey, being Prime Minister, was the permanent chairman. The functions of the commission were the investigation of pre-war prices generally, and of prices obtaining since the war commenced. Also the investigation of any specific inquiries as to the prices of commodities, such, for instance, as the cost of meat or milk. Certain duties had been conferred on the trading community, such as the duty of seeing that tjiore is no infringement of the Commercial Trustt Act, and when through any cause such infringement occurred, the commission had to investigate the matter. The Commission also investibated Infringements of the Cost of Living Act, relating to prices which were excessive. For instance, should an? tradesman charge an,undue increase on any article the matter should bo inquired into and such practice stopped. It was only fair that the consumer should pay for any increased cost in the production of a commodity, hut it was certainly not a fair* thing for a tradesman to Increase prices by more than the Increased: cost, thus making the occasion one* for extra profit. , * For the purpose of investigating! the cost of living, general statements were at this stage, of very little use. what was wanted are definite state-! ments and figures, which might b& placed^n the hands of the Government Statistician to be dealt with, ia the proper way. The duties of the Commission were' ended when the report on any mat-* is sent in to the Government to be acted upon. The Commission had to enquire fully into the matter, and then send in its report, and there its responsibility ended, and the Government took whatever steps were necessary to improve the situation. The Commission then heard a number of witnesses who gave evidence.
BOARD OF TRADE.
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXI, Issue 16690, 21 July 1916, Page 4
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