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appeared there was a shortage of 12 oz. glasses and that it would have been impracticable to order that all hotels in the country should provide a 12 oz. handle if asked for, but that such a course was practicable in the four main cities (R. 2124). He also said : The trade itself took all responsibility in the matter of introducing the 12 oz. handle for 6d. in the four main centres (R. 2123). 279. The Price Stabilization Emergency Regulations 1939 (1939/122) were made on the Ist September, 1939. They fixed the basic prices as the prices on the Ist September, 1939, but Regulation 11 provided that the Minister of Industries and Commerce might, by notice made and published as he thought fit, authorize the sale of any goods or the performance of any services for a price exceeding the price on the Ist September, 1939, by such amount as the Minister thought fit to specify. In exercising these powers' the Minister might be advised by persons who made inquiries under the Board of Trade Act, 1919, and its amendments, among whom was the Price Investigation Tribunal. 280. Following the conference of the sth August, 1939, and with the approval of the Government (R. 6158), the Minister authorized the passing-oil of the increased tax to consumers with effect from sth September, 1939, on the following basis <R. 2122 and 6132) Handles. —12 oz. handles were to be made available in the four main cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and" Dunedin for the price of 6d. if asked for (R. 6138/9 and 6186). Elsewhere the price of beer was not to be increased beyond the maximum of 6d. for 12 oz., but licensees were permitted to charge the full price for any less quantity according to the custom of the trade in New Zealand. Thus 6d. could be charged for a 10 oz., 8 oz., or 5 oz. glass—that is, for the 10 oz. handle, the medium, or the small. Pint Bottles.—The Minister authorized an increase of Jd. per pint bottle when sold in bottle stores in the Auckland area, but no increase when the contents were consumed on the premises. Quart Bottles.—ld. increase in all areas. Riggers.—ld. increase in all areas. Gallons.—An increase of 6d., but in no case to exceed ss. 6d. per gallon. 281. On the 26th September, 1939, there was a further increase of 3d. per gallon in the excise duty on beer (R. 6131). The total duty was then 2s. per gallon, plus for every unit of specific gravity above 1047. The Minister then, on the advice of the Price Investigation Tribunal, authorized the following increases with effect as from the Ist November, 1939 (R. 2123) Gallons.—An increase of 3d. per gallon. Handles, &c. —No increase in the price of beer measures. This left the trade to charge as it had been charging —viz., a maximum price of 6d. for any quantity asked for, even a pony. Riggers (Large).—An increase of |d. each. Riggers (Small). —An increase of |d. each at Auckland only. Large Bottles.—An increase of |-d. each. Small Bottles. —An increase of Id. each on all small bottles sold for consumption on the premises at Auckland only, but no increase anywhere else in small bottles sold for consumption off the premises (R. 2123). 282. These authorizations were, in general, conveyed by letter from the Price Tribunal to a representative of the brewers and bottlers, a representative of the wholesale merchants, and a representative of the licensed victuallers. Each representative had the duty of communicating the amount of the authorized increase to the class which he represented.

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