MEAT AND CLOTHES RATIONS AND PRICE CONTROLS TO END

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22666, 17 June 1948, Page 5

MEAT AND CLOTHES RATIONS AND PRICE CONTROLS TO END

(10 a.m.) CANBERRA, June 17. The Labour caucus yesterday unanimously agreed to the ending of meat and clothes rationing in Australia and also to the lifiting of price and land sales controls within three months.

A move for extension of the controls until the end of the year was withdrawn in face of strong opposition.

The party endorsed a Cabinet recommendation for the withdrawal of subsidies on potatoes, whole milk, wool textiles, coastal freights and imports other than tea.

A motion calling on the Government to abolish tea and butter rationing was withdrawn when it was stated that these controls would be reviewed in October. Members were also told that it was unlikely that the abolition of petrol rationing could be considered when other controls were reviewed. One member claimed that when the people had evidence of the situation resulting from the withdrawal of price controls they would be glad to return to the federal system. As a result cf the caucus vote, the decision to withdraw from the field of price control will be communicated immediately to the State Premiers, who will meet next week in Canberra.