§ 87. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he intends to take to deal with rising food prices.
§ Mr. PeartI have had a series of meetings with representatives of certain food trades to discuss with them the increases in both their prices and their costs. These trades were the food manufacturers, the grocers, the bakers and the brewers. The meetings explored the reasons for such price increases as have occurred in recent months, and gave me the opportunity of expressing the Government's concern over any increases that could not be fully justified. I was assured that the trades will do all they can to absorb any future cost increases and avoid further price increases.