ORANGES AND ONIONS

Evening Star, Issue 22631, 24 April 1937, Page 27

ORANGES AND ONIONS

TO THE EDITOR. ■Sir, —J, am astounded when I read your “stop press ” report of last evening on the price of Californian oranges on the local market—Bos per cose, which works out at approximately Od each—and then the comparison, 50 for Is in England. The only conclusion 1 can arrive at is that on the one hand this extortionate price in New Zealand is the result of Government interference, and tho price in England the result of free trade. Today I made inquiries, to find that still higher prices have been obtained — 87s 6d a case for oranges, and C3s for grapefruit. Just how long are we going to tolerate this positoin? Then the onion position in Canterbury makes interesting reading, clearly showing up the Government in more disastrous interference. It is comforting that it has not troubled tho potato growers, as I find it hard to buy a good potato under 101 b for Is, and my greengrocer informs me that supplies are hard to obtain. _ How many more commodities can the Government interfere with before the consumers wake up to the unsatisfactory state of affairs? The only straw that the Government can grasp at in justifying itself in connection with the onion business is that- there is “ not enough cool store accommodation.” More “eye wash.” So soon as the Government tries to control the prices of perishable commodities so soon is it doomed to failure. The law. of supply and demand controls, and ever shall it exist.—l am, etc., April 23. Free Trade.