FOOD PRICES IN BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1917, Page 2

FOOD PRICES IN BRITAIN.

THE CHEESE REQUISITION. ENGLISH BEEF NOW 2s 4d PER LB. London. .Tune 1. The Ministry of Food is issuing m-w orders fixing maximum retail prices for certain classes of food, but it is not often that such goods can be bought at the ollicial prices. By the cheese requisition order, the food controller takes over from the original consignees all cheese which sltall lie imported into the United Kingdom from the U'nited States, Australia, and New Zealand. Contracts for sale made, by the original enosignoes are cancelled. and the -purchase price to the original consignees,' payable by the food controller, remains to bo subsequently fettled. Consignees are required before June !l 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.states that lie has made arrangements-under which the Board of Trade 'will shortly place a quantity of cheese on the market lit a price which will enable retailers to re-sell to the public at Is 4d per lb. In practke it frequently happens that the retailer ha* not in stock the goods mentioned by the food controller; he oilers tlie purchaser (something else at the same old prices. By the beans, peas, and pulse retail prices order, maximum retail prices are lixed. The order fixing the prices of Who pease at 9d per lb is not welcomed in Lincoln, where the finest Lincolnshire marrowfats could be bought for 7ld per lb. The result is expected' to be an increase of l'/id per lb to the consumer. Fillet English beef is now 2s 4d per lb, and bacon In Uhl per lb; mutton is 2s per lb; fish prices are rising; and bananas are 3s lid a dozen. Onions are lid per lb; lettuces, -Id each; cucumbers are sold in halves at -Id per half; potatoes do not exist, except the early ones at over a shilling per lb. Sugar has gone i;p another 'Ad to Cd per lb, and another advance, in bread is threatened. The -!lb 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 jalior.