COMMODITY PRICES

Southland Times, Issue 18850, 16 June 1920, Page 5

COMMODITY PRICES

FARTHING RISE IN SUGAR. GROCERS DISSATISFIED. (Special to the Times). CHRISTCHURCH, Juno 14. A rise in the retail price of sugar was announced to-day. It is stated that merchants have agreed to increase the price from a pound to 3Jd a pound, and to stand their ground if the Board of Trade refused its approval. Retailers of butter and sugar will discuss the position at a special meeting this week. They contend that the ]>resent prices for these lines fail to meet overhead charges and that grocers are not receiving any consideration from the Government. One grocer described the Board of Trade as "the Big Traders' Protection Society." Fowl wheat is in particularly short supply. "I know for a certainty that farmers are bolding up large stocks in the hope of getting a bigger price," said one retail merchant.

CHRISTCHURCH WOMEN’S PETITION. PARLIAMENT URGED TO ACT. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 15. At a largely attended meeting of women this afternoon, it was agreed to petition Parliament as follows:- "We the undersigned women of Christchurch, respectfully urge you to use even' possible means through the powers vested in you to bring about a substantial reduction in the present excessive cost of the necessaries of life.” Miss Henderson, president of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women, said the Government could and did control prices. She had noticed that the Government Statistician had stated ) at clothing had advanced only in proportion with foodstuffs, but she considered he did not know what he wits talking about. The cost of New Zealand woollen goods was enormous, and this was a time when they were most wanted, as there must be thousands of people in the country whose vitality had been lowered by inhuenza. It was the general opinion among women that they were being exploited, nor did the Board of Trade inspire confidence. The meeting decided that Christchurch women should form a league for the suppression of profiteering. SHORTAGE OF SUGAR. SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES AT NELSON. NELSON, June 15. One of the most serious aspects of Nelson’s acute sugar shortage is the effect on Kirkpatrick and Company’s jam factory and Griffin and Sons’ biscuit factory. Both have had to take the drastic step of reduc ing hands, including married men. Only the chocolate department is working at Griffin's, and further curtailments at Kirk Patrick's are threatened.