VEGETABLE CEILING PRICES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25091, 24 January 1947, Page 6

VEGETABLE CEILING PRICES

ABOLITION ADVOCATED The lack of certain vegetables w«# caused by interference with the normal rules of supply and demand, It was stated at a meeting of market gardeners last evening, when a propossl to press lor the abolition of ceiling prices on vegetables was being discussed. Ceiling prices for some classes of vegetable were set in 1942 under the Stabilisation Emergency Regulations, and no increase had been allowed since then, even though production costs had increased. Several speakers said that other sections of primary producers had received increases on the 1942 ceiling levels. Non-ceiling lines such as rhubarb, peas, beans, and turnips were always reasonably available to the pubue. a speaker said, and generally brougnj high prices, for the grower found u more economical such lines. Ceiling prices which had been fixed ’*n Australia and England during the war had been abolished, and it was considered that similar action should ne followed in New Growers were sell produce at their gates at retail ceiling prices, as representations to the Government for the abolition of the wholesale price had been unsuccessful They regretted to take this action, said Mr G. A. Knowles, who presided, as n meant unequal distribution. Many people were unable to go to the growers’ farms to secure produce, and were unable to secure it at retail shops. Brokers and retailers were ««<> against ceiling prices, said Mr L. A. Curtis, and the growers would welcome their assistance in abolishing interference with normal marketing.