FOOD PRICES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1941, Page 5

FOOD PRICES

RAISED HEAVILY BY SPECULATORS BRITISH PUBLIC ROBBED. MINISTRY UNDER FIRE IN COMMONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON. April 30. Evidence that the public is being robbed by speculators who traffic profitably in foods in short supply was revealed by Sir Douglas McCraith, chairman of the Rood Price Investigation Committee in Hie north Midland region. “Speculation is rampant and goods are changing ownership many times, like stocks and shares, without even leaving the warehouse.” he said. “People who do not render service in distribution are enriching themselves at the expense of the consumer. Prices to the public have risen out of all reasonable proportion and have contributed considerably to. the increase in the cost of living, with inevitable discontent. Sir Douglas McCraith quoted a case of a dozen cans of soup supplied by a manufacturer at 6s 6d which, after passing through the hands of seven middlemen, were ’ retailed at 14s 6d. One middleman appeared twice in the transactions, buying and selling the same soup each time profitably. Sir Douglas also quoted an instance of canned marmalade, sold by the importer at 81d a tin. which after passing through the hands of three middlemen retailed at 3s 6d a tin. Members of the House of Commons today accused the Food Ministry of belated action and inattention to rocketing prices, mishandling of voluntary rationing and ignorance of the activities of food racketeers. During March there were 2141 prosecutions under the Food Control Orders. of which 1994 were successful.