With the conclusion of the Shang-ai hostilities, it is probable that e food situation will be relieved, and that prices, which have shot up as a result of profiteering, or through genuine shortage in many foodstuffs, will be lowered towards a normal level, the "North-China Daily News" was informed by an S.M.C. official yesterday. Now that shipping is to be resumed to the port, vegetables, and meat, ordinarily available from the district around Shanghai, will be imported both to meet the shortage, and to. relieve the high prices. Although there is a distinct shortage in foodstuffs, it was explained, this shortage is by no means acute, and is mot nearly so serious as public opinion would seem to suggest.
A falling of in the supply of vegetables from Pootung and western areas was noticed on Sunday, but by yesterday the position had greatly improved, and the Japanese military authorities in occupation of these areas were allowing farmers to bring their vegetables into Shanghai. Farmers entering Shanghai, however, are not yet being allowed to return to the western and Pootung areas, but negotiations are at present proceeding between the S.M.C. and the Japanese authorities to settle this difficulty.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.