Profiteering In "Old Vic" Seats

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 October 1948, Page 4

Profiteering In "Old Vic" Seats

PARLIAMENT BLDGS, Last Night (PA).—'The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr. NordmeyarL in the House of Representatives today, answering Mr Ormond Wilson (Govt., Palmerston North), who had complained of gross profiteering in seats for the performance of the “Old Vic” Company in Wellington, said the Director of Price Control would arrange for an investigation into the, resale of tickets for the “Old Vic” performances. Mr.. Wilson had cited instances of two 10s tickets which were offered for resale for a total of £3 10s. Mr. W. A. Sheat (Opp., Patea) said the question was stupid and the answer even more ridiculous. The Minister, rather than take the common-sense attitude, had promised an investigation by Price Tribunal officers into this tin-pot business.. If the public servants were available for such trivial matters, it was proof that the Public Service could be reduced. The vendor of the tickets must have stood all night in the queue for which, under union conditions, he would be entitled to treble time. Mr. R. G. Gerard (Opp., Ashburton): And probably wet money too. ?Tr. Sheat said any money the member for Palmerston North ever had Aas probably more easily earned than the £2 10s profit sought by the vendor of the tickets. What was the country coming to if the Government was going to put its “snoopers” on to such a futile inquiry? The question was typical of Mr. Wilson’s petty outlook, and the answer was typical of a Minister who could not refuse the temptation to interfere in something in which the Government had no right to interfere.