FOOD SUPPLIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22629, 18 January 1937, Page 13

FOOD SUPPLIES

Sir, —Heforc the holidays the Government fixed the prices of oranges and provided for the prosecution of sellers who overcharged. So far. however, there have been no prosecutions in Auckland (or elsewhere, as far as 1 know), where the price is still one shilling for four oranges, many of which are of inferior quality, being either dried up or over-ripe. 'I here appears to be no inspection of fruit shops by Government inspectors. Tlic childish and stupid embargo on Australian oranges should be permanently removed. We want these oranges. Why, in the name of common sense, should we refuse tliein because Australia does not want our potatoes? One of the first and most important duties of any Labour Government is to concern itself with the people's food supplies to ensure that they are adequate, good, fresh and cheap, and the most drastic penalties should be provided and enforced for adulteration, which should be absolutely prohibited. The tampering with foodstuffs ought to be treated as one of the greatest crimes in the calendar. When the people are properlv provided for and protected in the matter of food supplies there will be fewer patients in hospitals. Consuxieu.