ALLEGED PROFITEERING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17104, 8 September 1917, Page 10

ALLEGED PROFITEERING

THE PRICE OF SALT. BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY PROMISED. (Fbom Ovn Own Corbespondent.) WELLINGTON, September 7. A question about alleged profiteering was asked in the House to-day by Mr Hornsby, who quoted a published statement by a shopkeeper in Masterton to the effect that big profits were being made out of fr.oa commodities by merchants and not by retailers. The price of salt was shortly to be raised by 110 per cent. The tea duty was 3d per lb, and the price was raised by 4d per lb. Tea Bold at Is lOd, he said, would now be 2s 2d, and tea previously sdd at 23 would cost 2s 4d. Mr Hornsby asked whether the Prime Minister would take immediate steps to deal with the matter of profiteerii.'ij. The Prime Minister said no would be pleased to refer the matter of the increase in the price of salt to the Board of Trade. He had asked the Board of Trade to inquire into the price of tea. The board was advised that in consequence of the increased duty of 3d per lb the price would be increased by 4d, and the board considered this fair. Probably in future the price would be increased by 3d, und the standard of quality would be slightly reduced. Tho board considered that in the wholesale and retail trade in .tea there was keen enough competition to keep prices at a reasonable level. He would have inquiries made into the other points raised.