SOLDIERS BEWARE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 269, 9 August 1943, Page 3

SOLDIERS BEWARE

Profiteering In Egypt Atlvieo to New Zealand soldiers returning from Tunisia that many wily profiteers awaited them at Cairo and Alexandria to relieve them of the substantial credits in their pay-books was S'l’cn by Lieu leuau I-Colonel aite, 1 .8.U., Patriotic Cund Board Coniimssioner tn the .Middle Last, in an article in the 'N.Z.E.It'. Times. , , , Everybody might be very happy, but everything was very dear, he said. There was'about £20,000,000 more in circula lion than lust year. Clever speculators got together, decided that a particular article m was in limited quantities, and then bought and stored all possible stocks, i'«hjasiiig them in small quantities at cxorbitan, prices, said Colonel Waite. Instances bad been razor blades, silk stockings and whisky. The authorities were taking steps to deal with the position, but those buying at the high prices helped to det ear the authorities. . Discrimination was needed in c<atin„ up parcels to send home. Bilk. stockings 1 that were £1 .a pan- had risen o £5, but good stockings could be bou ß bt at cost price at the /-‘“hwbere members of the „'Stj would give advice. Tbe club had a good selection of stockings in rayon or pure silk, with a wide range of colours and sizes. There was also a limited stock or hot water bottles. ■ , . A list of articles in short supply in New Zealand, and a list of reputable firms who had guaranteed to give ‘New Zealanders a fair deal and, in some cases, discount, had been compiled. Cards ot introduction to those firms were available at the club.