FRUIT FLEECERS FOILED.

NZ Truth, Issue 701, 23 November 1918, Page 5

FRUIT FLEECERS FOILED.

Minister Mac Donald's Prompt Action One of the most unpleasant features of the week has been the dastardly attempt by those who have control of supplies of lemons and oranges to make capital out of the suffering public. As soon as the rush for these fruits set m the retail prices jumped, m the case of oranges, from Is Cd to 4s and 5b a dozen, while lemons, which, a few days ago wore being retailed at 2d each, ■were offered on Thursday by humane fruiterers at la. Fortunately, the Go» vornrnent got on the track of the exploiters, and, on Friday an Order-in - Council waa gazetted fixing the maximum prices of both orang'ea and lemons AT 3d EACH. Inferior classes of these fruits must be sold at a price not exceeding that which was being charged on November 1. Should any dealer seek to hold back stocks m an attempt to obtain better prices, his fruit will immediately be requisitioned under warrant. While it is to be regretted that occasion az'ose for such drastic action, the Government is to be congratulated upon the prompt measures taken to prevent such despicable exploitation.