7 JANUARY 1938, Page 39

More than one prominent caterer has recently disclosed the fact

that from the financial standpoint the Coronation was not pure gain. It will be remembered that Lord Greenwood made that point to the shareholders of the Aerated Bread Company, and now Mr. R. A. R. Field, the chairman of R. E. Jones, has expressed the same view. There was, he found, a big increase in takings during the Coronation period but also a big increase in expenses. It has been a difficult year altogether for the catering trade because of the rapid rise in commodity prices which could not immediately be passed on to the consumer. Mr. Field thinks that if these higher prices cannot be passed on soon, profits cannot be increased.

* *