FOOD PRICES IN BRITAIN.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 30 July 1917, Page 3

FOOD PRICES IN BRITAIN.

THE CHEESE REQUISITION. ENGLISH BEEF NOW 2s 4d PER LB. LONDON, June 1. The Ministry of Food is issuing new orders fixing maximum retail prices for certain classes of food, but it is not often such goods can be bought at the official prices.

By the cheese requisition, order, the food controller takes over from the original consignees all cheese which shall be imported into the Uuited Kingdom from the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Contracts for sale made by the original consignees are cancelled, and the purchase price to the original consignees, payable by the food controller, remains to be subsequently settled. Consignees are required before June 9 to furnish the Board of Trade with full particulars of all cheese taken over under the order. In connection with this order the food controller state* that he has made arrangements under which the Board of Trade will shortly place a quantity of cheese in the market at a price which will enable retailers to resell to the public at Is 4d per lb. 'in practice it frequently hap pens that the retailer has not in stock the goods ■ mentioned by the food controller; he offers the purchaser something else at the same old prices. By the beans, peas, and pulse retail prices order, maximum retail prices are fixed. The order fixing the price of blue peas at 9d per lb, is not welcomed in Lincoln, where the finest Lincolnshire marrowfats could be bought for 7i per lb. The result is expected to be an increase of 1W per lb. to the consumer. Fillet English beef is now 2s 4d per lb, and bacon Is lOd per lb; mutton is 2s per lb; fish prices- are rising; and bananas are 3s 6d per dozen. Onions are 4Jd per lb; lettuces, 4d each; cucumbers are sold in halves at 4d per half; potatoes do not exist, except the early ones at over a shilling per lb. Sugar has gone up another id to Gd per lb, and another advance in bread is threatened. The 41b loaf now costs Is. Heavy fines are being imposed on bread wasters, and a farmer has been fined £ls for having derelict fields in his possession. His defence was shortage of labour. ■"■ ■ wsmaas