PRICES AND CONTROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26623, 20 November 1947, Page 9

PRICES AND CONTROL

Sir,—l am wondering if. what I heard yesterday is true, i.e., that before any grocer, and possibly merchant, could sell any tea at the recent increased price it was necessary to furnish a complete stock of the tea in hand at the time bought at lower values, and pay to the authorities something like Is 3d per lb on every lb in stock; also 2Jd per lb on sugar. It would be interesting to know why cases of apples selling at 12s 6d per case during the autumn (and there were anything from 50 to 100 or more cases in the store at the time) were suddenly raised to 14s 6d, and when questioned the dealer said not to think that he was getting the extra. Presumably an order had come from the authorities and in the same way as- with the tea, he and all others had to pay over the 2s per case before they could be sold at the increased price. It would be most interesting to know, in view of the Government’s avowed abhorrence to profiteering, why it can think itself justified in doing the very thing it condemns in others, and I would like to ask if it is any less a crime for the Government to do these things than for the grocer, merchant, etc. Government departments are sending Inspectors round the country to see that no one makes a penny profit more than the Government stipulates, yet it itself is charging shillings over the amount.—l am, etc., D. M.