HIGH PRICES TO STAY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3390, 20 January 1920, Page 6

HIGH PRICES TO STAY.

LONDON, Nov. 20.

The oflicial View of ‘the trend -of

food prices in the coming year is inclined to be pessimistic. “There may be a seasonable. reduction in the cost of cerfain foodstuifs next year,” said a Food Ministry ofiicial, “but there should not be any undue optimism

in regard to prices in general. A good supply of bacon is expected early in the New Year. It will be cheaper and the quality w_iltl be much better. There is no ground. however, for the ?belief that meat will be decontrollecl soon. The chief obstacle in this respect is the -glxar9.ntee»given to the farmers which lasts until July 30. A meeting was held by the Central Agricultural .-\.dvisory Council to discuss this question, but the farnlers’

representative seemed ‘against. the removal of restrictions. There are ample supplies in the country at present, but I doubt if we shall have ‘the same abundance in :1 few months’ time. Tl‘-e pl'ie(‘ will not go up, however, while control continues. The. Board of Trade figures of food prices for next year may show :1 slight improvement owing to the reduction in the price‘ of imported lamb “and mutton by 2d a pound. Fish will go down considerably when thenew order comes into force. ' There will also be" seasonal reductions in "the price of eggs‘ in February. The cost of but’cef" will‘. prohnluw -filter.‘ "Sugar owin‘g"'t'o""'cliel great shortage throughout‘ 'the' xxjorlcl will probably be dearel"neX’r. yeah”. '