PROFITEERING.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16425, 20 January 1919, Page 7

PROFITEERING.

COMMISSION'S REVELATIONS,

(By Cable.—Pre* OopyiigktD MELBOURNE, January 18. The report of the Inter-State Commission on the prices of frmt and vegetables says that Sydney ia far behind the other States and countries in grading and packing, which showed that unmistakable carelessness and absolute deceit still exist to a discreditable and damaging extent. This is instanced by the loose repacking of fruit. Some dealers filled,four cases from the contents of three. • . , There was no evidence that hign prices were the result of comhmes, hut there was evidence of the fixing of tno prices of potatoes and onions by a body of merchants, which, doubtless caused needlessly high prices. • Reporting on tho clothing trade, the Commission finds that _ the war years have boon a tim©' of high profits. In 1914 the profits averagea 13 per cent., while in the next three years they ranged from 25 to 39 per cent. Tho total capital of 22 manufacturing firms in 1914 was £1,440,000, and the total net profits for the following three years' w-?ro £1,197,000, or an average of 33 1-3 per cent. Several other similar instances of abnormal returns were given. The report comments on the methods adopted to camouflage these high profits, and adds that it is much to be regretted that tho greater pro; portion of the excessive profits was derived during the period when England required material for clothing the soldiers in a time of grave dangor and emergency. It makes suggestions for the Government regulating prices and profits.