RETAIL PRICES OF VEGETABLES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25303, 1 October 1947, Page 9

RETAIL PRICES OF VEGETABLES

COMPLAINTS TO CITY COUNCIL Complaints of wide differences between prices paid vegetable growers and retail prices will be brought to the notice of the Minister in Industries and Commerce (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer) by the Christchurch City Council. Cr. Mary McLean said at a meeting of the council this week that she had received a letter from the secretary of the Commercial Gardeners’ Association saying that while the wholesale price for spring cabbage was 20s per cwt the retail price was 6d per lb. She asked if it was possible for the council to refer the question to the Price Investigation Tribunal, with a recommendation that the tribunal make its machinery more pliable to deal with gluts. Cr. H. P. Donald: Is that a matter for the council?

The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews): Seeing it is cabbages, we had better refer it to the Reserves Committee—(laughter).

Several councillors suggested that the association should itself refer its complaint to the Price Tribunal. “We are getting on dangerous ground,” said Cr. J. L. Hay. “If you apply regarding cabbage, you might apply for everything else.” Cr. W. L. King said retailers could not sell cabbage above fid per lb; they could sell at lower prices. Cr. A. R. Guthrey said a farmer had been offered Id for a lettuce at the market yet lettuce was being sold for Is in the shops. “We are always hearing complaints about the difference in the prices,” commented the Mayor, whose suggestion that the complaints be referred to the Minister was adopted.