1939-09-13 — Page 4

PROFITEERING SCANDAL: FOOD CONTROLLER AGAIN WARNS COMPRADORES: NO EXCUSE CAN BE ACCEPTED

THE SCANDAL OF FOOD PROFITEERING IN HONG KONG HAS NOT YET BEEN CHECKED BY GOVERNMENT DECREE FIXING RETAIL

PRICES. Compradores, in many instances, and in respect of certain commodities, have conformed to the order, although some of them are still adopting

the attitude that they will not sell if they cannot obtain their own price.

The only correction for this attitude, of course, is public co-operation and

self-defence by instituting measures which will secure prosecution. It is revealed, however, that although the compra-

POLITICAL BARGAINING DEPRECATED

Simla, To-day.

A speaker in the Legislature, yesterday deprecated Ideau "that' political bargaining shoulà bở part of India's support of the Empiro.

The ultimate fate of India would be decided on the battle- fields of Europe.-Reuter.

WHY “TIME” WAS BANNED

The view that the whole- sale newsagents' ban on the

7

dores themselves were fully prepared to take ad- STOLE FROM American weekly magazine,

vantage of the situation, they have a grievance

of their own, and that the middleman (not ne- BROTHER'S

cessarily the actual agent) is the principal cul- prit. Definite evidence was supplied to the "China Mail" this morning that wholesale prices of certain tinned goods have been increased by Chinese middlemen to such an extent that compradores cannot sell within the terms of the Food Price Order except at a loss.

Mr, Todd, however, declares that the remedy is in the hands of the Compradores, who must take their own measures against profiteering middlemen.

Carnation Milk is illustrative of the existing situation.

Connell Brothers, the local agents assured the "Sunday Herald” that there had been no increase in their price, which is quoted in Hong Kong dollars.

Yet the compradores complain that they have to pay much more for their supplies of Carnation Milk. The ex- planation is this...

There are several wholesale firms which order huge stooks through the agents and distribute them to the com- pradores, who are not in a position to purchase large quantities at a time.

LARGE STOCKS

The "China · Maila" that

understands

these middlemen get a dis- count on the official price.

Neverthless these wholesalers, who have huge stocks in hand at the moment, have jumped their prices to the compradore.

Whereas the compradore form- erly purchased a case of Carna- tion Milk for $11.20, he now has to pay the middle- -man $14.50. a case!

upon Government that the Regu- lations be extended.

WIFE

CHINESE

"Time," was a matter of "E s. d, and the law of libel" was expressed by an official of the London Federation of Wholesale Newsagents.

was

The newsagents' organisations, it explained, had been making strong.

ORtion of the law of libel. ONE MONTH'S HARD LABOUR

As the law stood, if something ap- BY MR. R. A. D. FORREST, FOR peared in an American publication on STEALING JEWELLERY TO THE which a person in Britain decided to VALUE OF $1,102, FROM NO. 201, claim damages, he had to sue the dis- WANCHAI ROAD,

THIS MORNING, TWO

AT THE CENTRAL MAGISTRACY YOUTHS WERE FINED $50, representations to secure an alterna-

tributor.

Detective Sub-Inspector W. N. The official stated that the ban was Darkin said that first defendant, not necessarily permanent. He denied Cheung Tai, was the brother-in-law that any political considerations were of the victim. Cheung, with second involved.

took the defendant, a shop foki, jewellery from the house from time to time between July and September

On our reading of sub-section (1) (a) of Section 50, the Food Controller has power

to control prices at which sold. A middleman sells to a re- tailer. The sub-section does not distinguish between a wholesaler and a retaller.

Sub-section (1) (d) says that an Order

may be so made as to apply to any particular person or undertaking or class of persons or undertakings

and

10. articles may be

*

80 as to have effect elther throughout the Colony or

any particular area therein. It might be suggested that the middleman could be brought within this de finition.

SOUTHERN RHODESIA'S ATTITUDE

Compradores inform the "China Mail" that the same profiteering ap- plies to many other food-stuffs.

London, To-day. Interviewed by the "China Mail" this morning, Mr. R. R. Todd, the Con- Southern Rhodesia will troller of Food, said that he had no help Britain in the war, said power to deal with either importers her Defence Minister. yester-

or middle-men.

The regulations as regards retailers, however, were quite definite.

OWN REMEDY

When it was pointed out that this was somewhat hard on the com- pradores, he suggested that they do away with the middle-mén and pur- chase direct from the importers.

પ

"In any event," he said, "they must not Increase, their prices. This ordinance was hastily put through to deaf with the situation, and if the compradoras have to pay the "midüláýmen" even twice the ordinary price, their prices as ragarda the public must not be raised."

It was up to the public to refuse to pay more than the fair price, and the compradores would, then have to lake their own steps to deal with the pro- fiteering of the middle-menim-meter

Artir. ToddE

suggests that the

Pawars do not give authority to control, prisen: of profitsbring, R

day.

Officers and specialists would be allowed to volunteer for service over- seas, but troops would be kept in Rhodesia in case there was a cam- paign in Africa.

"If necessary, they would have no hesitation in conscripting for service overseas-Beuter-

AIR RAID ALARM AT DOUA!

Paris, To-day. The air raid alarm was sounded in Doug! and Arras on Monday after noon.

The all clear went about an hour later-Reuter.

Scoutrost, of the tanker: off North Point had

rom his cabin yesterday.

Similar action had previously been taken in regard to other publications. Some Irish newspapers, for example, had been banned because they car- ried Irish Sweepstake advertisements.

PROPRIETOR'S VIEW

Complainant asked the Court for leniency because defendants were young.

Mr. Henry Luce, proprietor of Cheung said he spent the money "Time," speaking by radio telephone obtained on doctor fees.

from the Normandie, in which he was. returning to the United States, stat- ed that he intended to take the matter up immediately on his arrival.

CANTON IMPOSES RESTRICTION

"I don't know what the ban is for. I have not yet received any proposals: from the newsagents' organisation," he said, "and there has been no corres- pondence or warning.

""Time' has been appearing in Brit- ain for 15 years. During the whole of that period no British subject has had to pay a single penny for. damages. CHINESE PROCEEDING TO CAN- "This extreme action seems to me TON ARE NOT NOW BEING AL- to have a hidden pretext. I don't in- LOWED TO LAND UNLESS IN POS-tend to let the matter rest."" SESSION OF AT LEAST $20 IN Mr. Luce added that he had not HONG KONG CURRENCY, OR $80 modified his original opinion that IN CHINESE NATIONAL CUR-"Time" was banned on political RENCY.

grounds, following ↑ reference to- Countess. Ciano, wife of the Italian. Foreign Minister.

This regulation came into effect on Monday and many Chinese who pro-

ceeded to Canton via Macao were

forced to return.

..

"UNOFFICAL CENBORS".

Capt. C. Fuller, of Gorringes' Tra--

ish agents for the magazine, stated,

It is understood that the Japanese vel and News Agency Limited, Brit- authorities instituted this regulation as a precaution measure against a flood of refugees from Hong Kong and Macao following the outbreak of war in Europe.

"I rather suspect that the Federa-

censors.

oak on themselves as unoffical

We shall continue to import Japanese and Chinese "puppet"Time" and, see to its distribution our- officials visit ships from Macao and serves. Wholesalers not belonging to passengers are required to show the the Federation will also distribute it. required amount before being per-We are receiving large numbers of mitted to leave. the ship.

subscriptions."

PLEA NOT GOOD ENOUGH

"I do not think you could replied Mr. Q. A. AMacfadyen this morn wanted to end them when charged, ing to Leung Hing, 28, whn said, hệ

with stealing, 10 books from the Sp Nam Girlschpo. Waterloo. Bond

Leung was seen with the books.. written by classležli Chincés authors,

Nathan, Bord, yesterday Septance of one month'a har was imposed,

The view that the committee now considering the law of. libel should ake, cognisance, of the liability of newsagents in regard to foreign publi- cations was generally expressed in the course of inquiries. Limited has no connection whatever **Gorringes' Travel, and News Agency with Trederick Gorringe Limited.

TÄISHAN THEET-

Thompson, of the Canton Hos- rist, watch stölén om "Mai Shan yesterday.. watch was valued of. $100.