Conditions In Tonga
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent
Nukualofa. Nov. 10.
AS was feared, when war broke out, the prices of commodities in the kingdom soon soared.
A survey of prices ruling immediately before and after the outbreak of the war reveals that rises ranged from 25 per cent, to 100 per cent., if not more in certain cases. It was evident that some merchants were out to make hay while the sun shone, irrespective of in ternational decencies.
An example of profiteering which, fortunately, was soon nipped in the bud by the Authority for the Control of Food and Supplies, which had the prices fixed at a more reasonable basis was kerosene, which rose from 10/- per tin to 17/6, and from 6d. per bottle to 9d.
Under the new basis, this was reduced to 11/- per tin and 7d. per bottle.
But, despite price control, profiteering is still going on secretly especially among the Indian tailors running small shops. The latter created an unfavour able impression by refusing to make uniforms for the Tonga Defence Force at the prices which the Government offered them for the work.
It is regrettable that reputable mer chants should be involved in profiteer ing, especially after the definite warning issued by the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir Harry Luke, in his speech broadcast from Suva on the first night of the war.