SYDNEY FRUIT RING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1123, 10 May 1911, Page 5

SYDNEY FRUIT RING.

MINISTERIAL ALLEGATIONS. By Telccraoli-Pre-s AssociaUon-OopyrieM ■ Sydney, May 9.- i Replying to criticisms regarding his statement that a fruit "ring" existed in Sydney, Mr. Griffith, Minister for Public, Works, declared that ho had paid four-.' pence a piece for apples, which could bo, obtained in Melbourne for a halfpenny, each. In his opinion, the municipal anthoritics should open distributing shops, j

"Fruit in Sydney is outrageously dear;' not because of any shortage iu the supply, but l>ecause those persons who have, acquired a controlling interest in the re-| tail trade prefer enormous profits on a' small turnover to small profits on an. enormous turnover." The Minister fori Works (says the Sydney "Herald") waS| prompted to mako this observation b.v; what he saw of prices charged for fruit, during his recent visit to Melbourne and— Adelaide. Beautiful apples, for which '2d. and 3d. .apiece were charged in, Syd- ; nev shops, can, Mr. Griffith observed, lw bought in Adelaide and Melbourne at: about three a penny. Fruit was sold: in these cities by the lb., and Id. a lb. for apples seemed to be the ruling rate. The wholesale prico for fruit appeared to be about the same in the three capitals. "There is an iniquitous monopoly m the retail trade in Sydney," Mr. Griffith continued, "and it ought to be attacked and' destroyed." i