CHRISTMAS OUTLOOK IN LEEDS.
SHORTER SUPPLIES AND HIGHER PRICES.
If some definite action had only been taken by the Leeds Food Control Committee to avoid the queue system, which has become a public nuisance, and a grave menace to the health of the community, there would have been little or no cause for complaint.
Yesterday saw the principal streets of the city again thronged with tremendous queues numbering hundreds, and in some instances reaching into four figures. As a result of this abominable system many people will of necessity be confined to bed this Christmas through chills contracted in the ranks.
The public, however, have the satisfaction of knowing that the Food Controller has stepped into the breach. From the Order he has just issued, and the strong appeal he is making to local committees, there is every possibility that Leeds will have to bestir themselves, and set machinery to work to eliminate the practice.
The supplies of tea, butter, and margarine is about similar to last week, but in consequence of many of the shops being closed for three days next week there is an extra run on the commodities.
Yesterday the weather was ideal for Christmas shopping, and large numbers of people took advantage of it. All the establishments had a varied and attractive display, and great business was being done all over the city.
The Poultry Section.
The stalls in the Leeds Market were adorned with tempting rows of turkeys, geese, chickens, ducks, pheasants, partridges, pigeons, grouse, and rabbits, masses of greenery, and trays of luscious fruit and vegetables. Inquiries, however, reveal the fact that the reserves of stock are much less than usual, and householders, who do their Christmas shopping late, may find them-selves obliged to do without some of their usual seasonable delicacies.
A well-known poultry salesman told a representative of the "Leeds Mercury" yesterday that there was a very short supply all round. Breeders had not raised the stocks of previous years, owing to feeding and labour difficulties, and the usual consignments from Russia and America had not arrived. The result was that there was practically a general advance all round on last year's prices, when there was an average increase of about 2d. a pound, and 6d. on normal times.
Turkeys were selling at 2s. 3d. and 2s. 4d. (1s. 8d. last year), geese ls. 8d. and 1s. 9d., (1s. 4d. to 1s. 6d.), chickens 1s. 8d. (1s. 6d), ducks Is 9d. (1s. 4d.), hares 8s. to 8s. 6d. (6s.). partridges and grouse 6s. (same), pigeons 1s. to 1s. 2d. (same), rabbits 5s. 6d. to 6s. a couple (3s. 6d. to 4s.), and pheasants 14s. a brace, as compared with 7s. 6d. two years ago and 12s. last year.
The increase in the prices of rabbits and hares is due mainly to the dearer shipping freights for frozen goods: and the absence of shooting parties from the moors is chiefly responsible for the shortage of birds.
Holly and mistletoe are plentiful and in good demand. The wholesale prices are 8s. and 5s. to 6s. a stone respectively, which is only about 6d. above last year; but this increase is compensated by the fact that the quality is far superior.
Fruit, Fish, and Nuts.
There is a fair supply of fruit, and of good quality, although the variety is not near so great as in normal times. Prices are reasonable, considering present conditions. Apples are again the predominant feature. "It is surprising," said one dealer, "how English growers have come forward and assisted us. English apples, before the war, were very little heard of, but, judging from the quality and supplies sent in, I think we might to be able to do without -foreign apples, even after the war."
Some excellent eaters can be bought at from 5d. to 8d. a pound, and cookers at 5d. These are about similar to last year, but in oranges there is a distinct shortage. Valencias, which five years ago, sold at three a penny, and a penny each, according to size, are now 2d. to 5d. each; while Jamaicas are 6d. each, as compared with ls. 3d. to ls. 6d. a dozen in pre-war days.
Green grapes are 1s. 6d., and black ones 3s to 3s. 6d. Fourpence each are being asked for lemons, and 2½d. for bananas. Boxes of dates, which last year was 6d., are now ls. 9d., and what few of the cheaper dates are to be seen are selling at ls. 4d., as compared with 3d. Figs are almost unknown. Nuts are scarce and very expensive, Brazils being 1s. 6d., almonds 2s., cob nuts ls. 6d., and monkey nuts and walnuts from ls. to 1s. 4d.
Owing to the severe weather of the past week green vegetables are not quite so plentiful. Sprouts are fetching 3d. per lb., cabbages 2s. and 2½d., Savoys 3d., cauliflowers 4d. to 6d., celery 3d. to 5d. a stick, carrots 3½lb. for 3d., beetroot and parsnips 1½d. per lb., English onions 5d., Spanish onions 6d., Swedes 3½lb. for 2½lb., and potatoes 7 lb for 6d.
There was a fair supply of fish, but the prices keep very high, real soles being 2s. 6d., turbot 2s. 8d., lemon soles 2s. 2d., plaice 1s. 8d., cod ls. 4d., haddocks, ling, and conger eel 1s., herrings 3s. per doz., and sprats, which were plentiful, 4d. per lb.
[I have included this post to show that in spite of reports of widespread queueing, this seems to have been only for the basic commodities of tea and especially butter and margarine - the staple diet of the poor (along with sugar, which was already rationed, bread and potatoes). For people with money, there was plenty of food available. For an explanation of the prices quoted, see my note on prices. To give some idea, a shilling (1s.) converts to 5p now, taking no account of inflation. The Bank of England's inflation calculator says that £1 was equivalent to £63.66 in 2016, and 1s. would be equivalent to roughly £3. There were 240 pennies in a pound, so 1d. was worth about 26p. now.]
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