FOOD PRICES.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 August 1919, Page 5

FOOD PRICES.

GEi.)UES—ROBERTS QUARREL. As long ago as June 24, ‘the Daily News gave a hint of the existence of friction betxveeii the Food Ministry and the Board of Trade, which has just now come to a head, with the result that Mr Roberts -threatens to resign because Sir Auckland Geddes has taken out of his hands the matter of dealing‘ With foodprofiteers. The News said: “Those who talk of rising prices,” the, Food Controller says, “are unintentionally doing their best to raise prices by helping to create panic.” If he is -in earnest, Mr Roberts should address his lecture, with all the emphasis he can comniatnd, to his colleague at the Board of Trade; for Sir Auckland Geddcs a-few hours later was telling the country that ‘it must prepare for prices soaring ne_xt__ winter to levels undrean'led of. By the mouth of Mr Rob=erts_, the Ministry of Food spoke. with gentleness and caution. By the mouth of Sir Auckland Geddes, the’ Board of Trade spoke with manifest conviction, not to say, anger. There is a Very important point in this conflict of testimony between two prominent members of the Government. Why do they "contl':l(lict one another thus flatly? Have they not access to the same sources of inforniationi Is the question of the food supply and of food prices—the most urgent practical question with which the people are concerned to-da.y——a matter of so little moment to the Govéfiiinent that two Ministers most directly associated with it can come. forward with assertions that cancel each other out‘! The fact, of course_, is that the country is not ‘being governed. There is no directing mind, and the Cabinet not having been reconstituted. there is no co-ordinating method or machinery at work.