TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 18832, 27 May 1920, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Some idea of the wheat position in Europe was given by the London Times early in April in the course of an article dealing with an increase in the price of the British loaf (o one shilling. The 41b loaf in Britain was fixed a! 9id in September, 1017, and remained at that figure until April when the official control was withdrawn. The price went to a shilling, but it was anticipated that competition might cause a decline to lid. It was announced by the bakers, however, that the higher figure represented the true economic price and that if the public paid the lower price the burden would fail on the bread subsidy. Even at a shilling Britain was much better off than the Continental countries. The following table gives an idea of the advantage enjoyed by the British consumer:—

In the case of Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Germany the price? quoted for second quality are for rye bread, the third quality being very coarse rye bread. In the other countries the second quality is made of wheaten flour.

“Even when the price of our own loaf rises to about Is, we shall he getting white broad for considerably less than the prices paid for a similar quality on the Continent,” remarked the London Times. “Moreover, no limitation is imposed on the amount that may be bought in the United Kingdom, whereas in many parts of the Continent rations are still fixed. The second and third qualities mentioned are so inferior that they would find no purchasers of any sort in our bakers’ shops. The Continental workman, in consequence of his lower wages, has to bo content with this very indifferent foodstuff. Prices vary in France according to the district. In Paris, since March 15, bread has been l.Oof. for the kilo, which is equivalent to Is 6d per 41b loaf, and in most other districts a similar price prevails. In Italy, consequent on the findings of a special commission, an all-round increase has been announced.

“In France more favourable terms are offered to certain classes of the population. Each of the following receive bread cards enabling them to obtain 14oz daily at the old rate of XOJd per quartern:—Heads of families having three or more children under 16 years of age; women with two or more children under 16 years of age; exService men of at least 50 per cent, disability; old people, invalids, and incurables drawing benefits under the law' of July 14, 1905. Wheat flour, pure or mixed, may not be used in the manufacture of fresh pastry, but must be used only for bread making, and for two days in every week pastries may not be sold in France, either publicly or privately. Apparently the French taxpayer still has to bear a subsidy of something like £21,000,000 annually, the price paid for imported grain being above that of the native wheat. The consumption of corn in Italy ft being strictly limited, the 1920 imports being reduced to one-half of the figure for last year, and the monthly consumption will have to be restricted to 300,000 tons. The State is purchasing native corn at 90s per 2SOlb, and is selling it at 60s. It is paying 260s per 2801b for foreign wheat, which is likewise being sold at 60s. Bread cards have been reintroduced, restricting the individual allowance to 16oz per day for ndn-w-orkers and 18oz for workers.

Britain . . First, s. d. 1 0 Second, s. d. Third, s. d. Italy . . — 1 5 — France . . 2 2 1 (3 — Belgium 1 Sh 1 7 1 5 Switzerland . — 1 1 — Holland .. 1, 2 0 9 0 fi Denmark 1 11? 1 10 1 1 Sweden .. 4 9 1 4 -- Germany 2 11 1 4 : [ —