2 APRIL 1948, Page 5

During Easter I was sent to buy a cauliflower (or

possibly broccoli). For what was described as a medium-sized specimen I was asked more than one and a half times the value of a week's meat ration. The relationship, translated into terms of normal pre- war meat-purchase, is instructive. I declined the vegetable, and was ill received when I got home without it. But the logic of the situa- tion seems clear. As long as people are willing to pay Is. 9d. for a cauliflower they will be asked Is. 9d. for it. Consumers should realise rnat it pays them to go on strike occasionally.

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