COST OF LIVING.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1919, Page 7

COST OF LIVING.

REPORT OF AUSTRALIAN COMMISSION. REGULATIONS OF PRICES AND iPROMTS SUGGESTED, t Melbourne, Jan. 18. The report of the Inter-State Commission on prices of fruit and vegetables •*y» that Sydney is far behind other States and countries in grading and packing, which showed that unmistakable carelessness and absolute deceit still exists to a discreditable and damaging extent, instanced by the loose repacking of fruit. Some dealers filled four cases from the contents of three. There was no evidence that high prices were the result of combines, but there was evidence of the fixation of prices of potatoes and onions by a body of merchants, which doubtless caused needlessly high prices. Reporting on the clothing trade the Commission finds that the war years have been a time of high profits. In 1914 profits averaged 13 per cent., while in the succeeding three years they ranged from 25 to 39 per cent. The total capital of 22 manufacturing firms in 1914 was £1,440,000, and the total net profits for the following three years were £497,000, or an average of 33.6 per cent. Several other similar instances of abnormal returns are given. The report comments on the methods adopted to camouflage these high profits, and adds tha,t it is much to be regretted that the greater proportion of the excessive profits was derived during i the period when England was supplying material and clothing to soldiers during a period of grave danger and emergency. J The report makes suggestions for Government rejrultttion of prices and pro-fits.—Aua.-N.Z. Cable Assoc, il, ■