GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. HOUSING SHORTAGE. BERLIN, June 20. President- Ebert’s daughter and her husband (who were married lust week) have been unable to obtain ft tourroomed house in which they had expressed a willingness to live. The housing shortage in Berlin is so bad that the only accommodation they can find consists <•!’ furnished rooms wince occupants are abroad for a few months. GERMAN-FOOD PRICES. LONDON, June 21. The “Daily Express’s” Berlin cotrespondent states:—Unbelievable chaos lias resulted from the fall of the mark. Angry scenes occur in the markets, where the housewives are vainly trying to Inly sufficient food for their families. A pound of meat costs half a day's earnings of a worker ; a pound of margarine equals twelve hours’ work : and a pair of shoes two weeks’ work ; while a suit of clothes equals two years’ work. Protest meetings are being held everywhere. The “Daily Telegraph’s" correspondent in Dussoldorf says the falling of the mark caused a panic amongst shopkeepers. Price figures disappeared as if bv magic from the shop windows, the mark being so low that the shopkeepers did not know what to charge foi* goods. Some, in despair, tdosed their establishments. The restaurantetirs have no compunction about raising prices. A portion of fresh salmon costs over a hundred thousand marks, and a modest meal with wine almost the same figure.