PRICE OF FOODSTUFFS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 11 August 1914, Page 4

PRICE OF FOODSTUFFS.

INTERESTING, INTERVIEW

Our Eltham representative lias interviewed MrC. A. Wilkinson, M.P. tor fcgmont, m regard to the importer °* the ?rice of foodstuffs. Mr Wilkinson was the first man to bring this important question before the House by asking the Premier if he would taka steps to prevent the people bemrr exploited in connection with the sale of foodstuffs during the present crisis. It had been stated by the manager of a Wellington grocery establishment that the retail nrice of sugar had been raised to £19 ncr ton and that he could get £1 pe f bag, which only meant a email margin of profit. A telegram had also been received from Christchurch statino- that sugar was selling at £21 per ton. Mr Wilkinson therefore telegraphed to the manacer of the Colonial Sugar Company alkm^' if the price had been advanced, and his reply was that no increase had been made in the wholesale price, which "remained at £15 per ton, and further, that fifteen hundred tons were being shipped south in two shipments. This proves that there has been no warranty for, any increase in prices being charged by any trader* in New Zealand. In his own business (said Mr Wilkinson) no increase in puce has been made, and there is no lack of supplies. This (he says) shows that in many parts of the Dominion the public are being unfairly exploited. Flour, another important foodstuff, was advanced 20s per ton in Wellington, and prices were promptly increased by 40s per ton. In Eltham prices were advanced by 20s per ton eight days after the wholesale price had been increased. It is possible that millers will attempt to further increase the price, but the Government may be expected to take action at this point, a drastic Bill having been passed on Saturday last. In addition to legislative action, the member for Egmont has made strong representations to the Prime Minister that further direct action should be taken to safeguard the interests of the public, and to at all costs prevent an increase in the price of bread.

Other important items are those of benzine and kerosene, these being practically a monopoly of the Vacuum Oil Company (the * Shell Company stocks being exhausted). This company has not increased the price of any one of their lines, and under normal conditions it has stocks available for fully nino months. They are, however, only supplying ordinary quantities, and will not allow speculation by dealers. In Eltham the prices have not been risen, and reasonable demands will be met. In Mr Wilkinson's opinion the public have been unnecessarily alarmed, and by purchasing quantities that they could not readily consume have played right into the hands of dealers. He is strongly of opinion that at the present juncture every one should keep as cool as possible, and thus avert any undue and unnecessary inflation in prices.

Our Eltham correspondent adds that he also saw a leading baker with regard to the price of bread, and he stated that so far as he was concerned there had been no increase, and none was contemplated.