FOOD COMMISSION’S REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1919, Page 1

FOOD COMMISSION’S REPORT.

AX AUSTRALIAN ENQUIRY. FPEB PREBB ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT, j MELBOURNE, Jau. 18.

The report of tlie Inter-State Commission on the prices of fruit and vegetables says: Sydney is far behind tlie other states in grading and packing, which showed that unmistakable carelessness anil absolute 'deceit still exist to a discreditable and damaging extent, j as instanced by the loose repacking of fruit. Some dealers filled four cases : from the contents of three. ! There was no evidence of high prices as the result of combines, but there was evidence of tlie fixation of prices of potatoes and onions by bond merchants, which doubtless caused needless high prices. Reporting on clothing, the Trade Commission finds that the war years have been a time of high profits. In 1914 profits averaged 13 per cent., while the next three years they ranged from 25 to 39 per cent. The total capital of twenty-two manufacturing firms in 1914 was £1,440,000, and the total net profits for the following three years £1,197.000, or an average of 33 1-3 per cent. There were several other similar instances of abnormal returns given. The report comments on the methods adopted, to camouflage these high profits. It adds: It is much to be regretted that there was a, greater proportion of excessive profits derived during the period when England was supplying material and clothing to soldiers in a period 1 of grave danger and urgency. It makes suggestions for the Government regulating prices and profits.