GROCERY PRICES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12529, 15 April 1935, Page 2

GROCERY PRICES

BRITISH RATES ‘COMPARED WITH ’.r“V v: NEW ZEALAND. DOMINION’S MUTTON SELLS CHFjAPLY. 1 Something of the disparity existing between "the prices of commodities on the New Zealand and English retail markets'is revealed in,'a recent pricelist issued by the large British supply stores, of JT. Sainsbufy. Heightened by 'contrast the New Zealand rates for- most Tines of. groceries. ai’o - seen to be on a slightly higher level than those ruling in the United Kingdom, although it is olvvious that the English prices have risen considerably on thq pre-war levels of ultra-cheapness which, are So frequently quoted by those cavilling; at New Zealand values. Dairy produce, in the United Kingdom commands higher ruling rates than those in the Dominion. Home" produced butter sells at Is 3d while til© finest quality Empire produce is quoted at Ud unsalted, and lOd salted. There is a lengthy list of English, Irish, Danish., Swedish, and Empire bacon to choose from, retailing at from fid for flank to Is 4d for hack and ribs, as compared, with Is to Is 4d in New Zealand. Eggs were selling in February at Is 9d a dozen for English extra large newlaid, with new Said imported quotes at Is and Empire eggs at 14 for Is. Nearly 40 varieties of cheeses are quoted, the prices ranging from 7d per lb to Is 10dl for Stilton and 2s (id for Roquefort. Empire Cheddar sells at 10d as compared with 7d and 10 r -i in New Zealand. The price fist among its collection of cereals quotes oat-meal at 6’d per 21b carton, the same product sc’/.iiig in the Dominion at about 6s for a 251 b bag. The only honey specified is of Canadian origin and is sold at Is per glass jar. Tea, coffee anj cocoa generally command higher prices in the Dominic* than on the English market. Tea, according to the price list, ranges in value from Is 6d to 2s Sd as compared with Is lid to 3s in the Dominion, while good quality coffee realises from Is 4-d to 2s per lb against figures from Is 2d to 2s fid here. Cocoa in the Dominion is approximately Id dearer in nil qualities. In what might be termed the luxury lines of the grocery trad©, greater disparities are to be seen. Biscuits of almost all varieties are sold at 6d or 7d per luff-pound, alth&ugu the values for jams are almost similar to those ruling in the Dominion. Tinned soups are a fe,w pence cheaper than those sold in New Zealand, while the local tinned fish and meat prices are almost on a par with the United Kingdom rates. Such items as jellies and chocolate are apparently cheaper lines at home than in the Dominion. There is interesting reading afforded in the section devoted to meatprices. In ;< 1 classes of mutton the prices for the New Zealand product are quoted fully fid J )Cr lb lower than the English and Scottish meat. Where the Sainsbury catalogue sets Out tile price of Scottish and 1 English leg of mutton at Is 2d, the New Zealand price alongside reads only Pd', the proportionate difference being carrier* through in all classes of meat. No mention cf New Zealand beef is made, the only prices quoted being those of the English an c f Scottish and the Argentine, products; the latter selling at approximately 5d cheaper on most lines.