H—4o

The results of the hearings are set out in the following summary :

In all cases where increases were granted by the Tribunal the Minister of Stabilization directed that the increased cost was to be borne by the user. There are now a number of applications coming before the Tribunal for adjustments in the rates for individual items on rates schedules. Difficulty is being experienced in obtaining the necessary evidence regarding costs revenue and volume of business. In this connection the following extract from a Tribunal decision recently given is quoted:— We think it proper to point out that where charges have recently been fixed the Tribunal is not prepared to agree to an alteration of those charges without very clear evidence either that the original decision was made in error or that the circumstances have changed. The details of the applications dealt with by the Tribunal since its inception are

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Application in respect of. Date. Decision of Tribunal. Southland District, Nos. 1, 2, 30/9/47 Slight increase in a number of items in small goods and and 3 Areas parcels schedule approved. Southland District, Nos. 1 and 3 30/9/47 Timber cartage rate for timber ex mill deleted in favour Areas of general timber cartage rate. Wellington City, Hutt Valley 10/10/47 Schedule reviewed and confirmed. New conditions Area applied and small increases in two or three items granted. Southland Rural Mail-service .. 10/10/47 Contract price fixed for carriage of mails. Palmerston North District rural 10/10/47 Application for increased rates for paper cartage refused. mail and newspaper service Banks Peninsula Area Rates 10/10/47 A new schedule involving some increase on old rates Schedule prescribed and approved. Dunedin City cartage rate 14/10/47 An increase in rates for building materials and parcels charges approved. Carterton rural mail-service .. 27/11/47 Rates for bread cartage increased to Price Tribunal delivery rates. Apiti Rate Schedule Area .. 27/11/47 New schedule involving increases in rates prescribed for General application in respect of 27/11/47 tllC died. Rates increased by 2J per cent, on Area Schedules and goods-service charges throughprevious increases cancelled, and a comprehensive out New Zealand increase of 10 per cent, on city, borough, and town district schedules consequent on wage increase by Court of Arbitration. Northern Manawatu Rate 27/11/47 Application to vary area for pig cartage declined. Schedule Area Wellington Hutt Valley Area 9/12/47 New schedule prescribed involving slight increase in rates for timber deliveries by timber-merchants. Governor's Bay Area 16/12/47 Increase granted in rates for stock cartage. Auckland Rate Schedule Area 12/3/48 Application for increase in shingle and metal cartage rates declined. North Auckland Rate Schedule 12/3/48 New rates for bulk lime cartage ex hopper prescribed Area (decrease on general rates). Auckland Rate Schedule Area 12/3/48 Increase in rates for carriage of bitumen and emulsion in tanks approved.

Applications dealt with during Year ended 31st March, Class of Application. Total. 1944. 1945. 1946. 1947. 1948. Country schedules 12 1 13 10 4 10 49 Town schedules 6 5 11 General contracts 57 4i 36 44 77 255 Mail contracts 70 81 71 38 65 325 Special rates 2 2 Wages increase 2 1 3 Totals .. 139 135 123 90 158 645