XN000022-1973-10-31 — Page 21

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Wednesday, October 31, 1973

FOOD PRICES MUST BE CONTROLLED MRS. SYMONS

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People Worried Over Govt's Apparent Lack Of Concern

The Hon. Mrs. Joyce Symons joined her Unofficial colleagues in

urging the government to impose some form of control, even if on a temporary

basis, to arrest skyrocketing prices of basic commodities.

"The great majority of our citizens are worried that the government

does not seem worried about the sharp increase of food prices," Mrs. Symons

said.

"They are not confident that the government has done anything to control

curb,not the prices at source which are beyond its jurisdiction, but the

tremendous Trofits demanded by our importers and traders.

'They cannot understand that once again, in a vital area of their

lives, the government appears to indulge in that wretched out-dated policy

of laissez-faire," she said.

Mrs. Symons pointed out that the people were hopeful that the

government would combat the scourge of rising prices following an appeal

by a learned Professor of Economics and many practising economists to

set up a "price stabilisation board" or an "essential commodity committee".

However nothing seemed to have been done.

"Quite soon, wages will spiral again, and the whole vicious circle

is set in motion."

On youth activities, Mrs. Symons expressed the hope that something

along the lines of the summer youth activities could be arranged for the

youngsters in the winter.

"There is