Ham

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31412, 4 July 1967, Page 14

Ham

Sir, —An item of news last week indicated that the wholesale price of ham had been substantially reduced. Coming at a time when the price of most food is sky-rocketing, this news should be welcomed by most housewives. However, I was disillusioned when I discovered on Friday that the retail price of cooked ham in my residential area has not yet been reduced. It would seem that retailers are quick to pass on increased prices. Surely they are under an obligation to pass on immediately price reductions to consumers. —Yours, etc., ALMOST CURED.

June 26, 1967. [The secretary of the Canterbury Master Grocers’ Association (Mr F J. Murray) replies: “Provided a store had cleared stocks bought at the old price' and provided the store had been informed of the reduction (at least one manufacturer’s circular stated that the reduced prices were effective from June 26), the association would recommend immediate reduction of the retail price. By action of the Trade Practices Commission, however, the association is prohibited from recommending prices to its members. This situation applies only in Christchurch and Auckland. From inquiries made on receipt of ‘Almost Cured’s’ complaint it would appear that retail prices have now been reduced.”]