GRUMBLED AT STEW.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 February 1925, Page 5

GRUMBLED AT STEW.

BETTER FOOD WANTED. EVIDENCE AT FOOD COMMISSION. BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, Feb. 18. Labour had Its day at the Food Prices Commissibn, when three work-ing-men’s wives gave the industrialists’ viewpoint. One little bespectacled woman ran the gauntlet ot the commissioners’ searching questions, and flashed back incisive answers. She said the menfolk did not grumble at stew before the war, but since it they demanded a roast and vegetables. This perhaps was due to war experience and high wartime wages. Butchers nowadays left precious little meat on the soup bones. She noticed that butchers had developed the trick of putting up prices at the week-end, when industrialists mostly bought their joints, but people grumbled, smiled and took it as a matter of course. Then they blamed the Government.

Airs Philip Snowden, who is one of the commissioners, replied: “That is easy. We will also be blamed likewise if we don’t do something.” Air Bramley, on behalf of the unions, mentioned that the Japanese appeared to be substituting wheat for rice. That would give Australia a new market, and incidentally keep up the price here. Similarly wheat was replacing rye in many European dietaries. A statement was submitted on behalf of the executive of the Trade Union Congress and the Labour Party proposing the establishment of a system of centralis'ed purchase of wheat and meat and arrangements with organised producers of the Dominions for securing a definite portion of the Dominions’ output at fa-ir prices, to lie fixed in advance; also, the establishment of an international economic commission as part of the permanent machinery of the League of Nations to examine the operations of international combines, and elaborate measures for their control. and to provide machinery for the co-operation of public organisations which might be established h.v different nations for the purchase of foodstuffs. Sir Auckland Geddas asked Mr Fred Bramley. who submitted the statement, for evidence of the existence of unfair profits. Air Bramley said that that was the commission’s responsibility. Sir Auckland Qedtles : “We have spent months looking lor unfair profits and w« want your help.” , Air B-amley said that bv “organised international action” he meant that an international trust of consumers, was needed to fight against the trust controlling prices. The commission has adjourned.