Higher Prices For Meat : Other Rises Expected

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1947, Page 2

Higher Prices For Meat : Other Rises Expected

CP.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Ili’addition" toi the rises of 2|d in tjie price of suger and 1s Izd in the price of tea, both per lb, as announced yesterday, a new scale of retail meat prices to operate from Monday next, was announced in a Price Order gazetted last night. These are increases, which follow from the removal of the meat subsidy. The increases range from Ild per lb. for the cheaper cuts to 3d per lb. for choicer grades.

The details of the new ration values were announced by the Food and Rationing Controller, Mr A. J. Costelloe, who stated that next week the adult meat ration would be 2s Id in the North Island, with the “H” coupons worth lOd, and the ordinary coupons worth 3d each. In the South Island, the adult ra - tion would be 2s 2d, with the “H ’ coupons worth lid and the ordinary coupons 3d each. The total child’s ration would be Is Id in the North Island, and Is 2d in the South Island, the “J” coupons being worth 7d and 8d respectively. The increases announced in the consumer prices of tea, sugar, and meat are probably only the start of an upward trend in the cost of everyday commodities, writes a s P e " cial correspondent. It is expected that next week the price of bacon will rise, and that this will be closely followed by an increase in the cost of ham.

Cheese is likely to go up in price within the next few weeks. Since the Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash) announced early last month the revision of State subsidies, a Government member of Parliament (Mr C. Carr, Timaru) has predicted increases in the prices of many consumer gods. Mr Carr said that there would have to be an approximate retail price increase of 4d a dozen for eggs, to cancel out the floor subsidy, and a further 3d a dozen to compensate for taking off the wheat and flour subsidy. It is likely that bacon and ham will increase in price by 2;}d to 3d tpound, and that the price of cheese will go up by at least 3d a pound. Increased prices are also forecast for cigarettes and tobacco.