HIGHER PRICES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21198, 23 June 1934, Page 22

HIGHER PRICES

SUPPLIES TO HOSPITAL

RISING TENDENCY IN FOODSTUFFS A rise in foodstuff prices has been indicated by the tenders for supplies to the Christchurch Public Hospital and its allied institutions, and it is estimated that the increase in two items alone will cost the North Canterbury Hospital Board £2OOO extra this year. The principal items bearing a considerable increase were tea and meat, Mr W. S. Wharton, secretary to the board, informed a representative of "The Press" yesterday. However, he added, there were one or two items which would offset the rise to a small extent. Undoubtedly there was an upward tendency in price and the board had had to give careful attention to meat and tea when commencing the financial year! Butter, said Mr Wharton, was still very cheap, and cheaper than last year. The Auckland Hospital Board has had a similar experience and has found that butter was the only commodity for which a straightout tender was lower than the contract price last year. While the North Canterbury Board secures as much of its supplies in New Zealand as possible, there are several items for which it has to apply to the wholesale markets.