MAXIMUM PRICES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 45, 18 November 1918, Page 4

MAXIMUM PRICES

FOR FISH FRUIT, AND VEGETABLES. An Order-in-Council fixing maximum prices of fish, fruit, and vegetables is to be issued to-day. The permitted prices are- to be those charged on November 1, 1918. This action has been taken by tho Government in consequence of the rapid increase in tho retiiil prices of goods required by the sufferers from influenza. The Government has taken over com pulsorily 1000 cases'of smoked blue cod, it consignment (hat arrived last week from the Chatham Islands. The Prime Minister (Might Hon. \\. F. Jlnssey) stated that this fish would be distributed by the Labour Department, which would seo that it reached the consumers at reasonable prices. . Part of tho consignment n'ould have to be sent to other centres. The details would , be arranged by the Department. A shortago of oranges exists in Wellington and in other parts of New Zealand at the present time. This shortage would havo existed oven if tho Government had not fixed maximum prices, though (he trouble may have been accentuated by the unwillingness of some ictailers to abandon hope of big profits. A small consignment of oranges brought by tho Monoivai iv<is unloaded at the end oi' last week, and though it had suffered from delay in discharge, about ten eases of sound fruit were secured. Somnof the citizens' committee.* jito now holding small stores of oranges for tho use of patients whoso illness is severe. A large consignment of oranges is due to reach Auckland on Wednesday, and tho Government, will see that this fruit is distributed to tho i various centres and made available for influenza patients.