PRICES INVESTIGATION

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14361, 12 May 1920, Page 5

PRICES INVESTIGATION

TRIBUNAL IN HAMILTON. SEVERAL REFUNDS ORDERED. The Board of Trade Price Investigation Tribunal, consisting- of Messrs M. M. McCallum, Wesley Spragg and E. Phclan sat in Ihe Court room. Hamilton, yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of securing complaints or profiteering. A number of complaints . were receiver!, covering alleged overcharges on timber, tobacco, meat extract, painting and paperhanging and hotel accommodation. Tin' Tribunal considered that in the cases of the meat extract and tobacco excessive prices bad been cbaj'gcd, but in both' instances ihe defaults weiw trivial, and the eases would be met by an immediate correction of prices and refunds being made upo'n previous sales.. Tin' delinquents were notified accordingly. In future similar cases prosecutions will be recommended without further warning. The painting and paperhanging, timber and hotel accommodation charges are under investigation. The Tribunal is impressed by the small number of complaints received. It assumes, since its sittings have been duly advertised, thai the small amount, of business for its consideration is an index of the satisfaction of the people. The Tribunal sat again :n the Courthouse this morning. Future sittings in Hamilton, at times to be advertised, will be held periodically. It, should lie borne in mind that t,l>e name of the complainant is not necessarily disclosed. The Tribunal cannot, take cognisance of anonymous complaints, but pvery legitimate charge will be closely investigated. THIS MORNING'S SITTING. Tlie Tribunal finished ils sittings in Hamilton this morning, after two busy sessions. Complaints were received upon a diversity of-business subjects, some being trivial anil technical breaches of the Profiteering Act only.. As already indicated these were met, by a correction of pries and promises to refund.- .More serious mailers are awaiting fuller investigation by Hie Tribunal, after which reports and recommendations'will lie forwarded |o [he -Board of Trade in Wellington. .Much interest lias been taken in Ihe proceedings by traders, who appear to have been considerably excited by the appearance in Ihe town of ihe members of the Tribunal, whose visit is likely to have a beneficial effect.