With the amount of unchecked profiteering which is going on in Shanghai, wistful eyes are turned to Hongkong where, because it is a Crown Colony with an effective legislature of its own, such matters can be dealt with efficiently. Shortly after the outbreak of war Food Control Regulations were issued forbidding the sale of goods at a price more than 10 per cent. above the retail prices prevailing on August 31. A Hongkong housewife on September 15, bought from a Chinese operated department store a 5 Jb. tin of powdered milk, for which she was obliged to pay $11.65, whereas the retail price of this particular brand on August 31 ranged between $8.95 and $9.50. It was contended for the defence that the prevailing retail price on the date in question had not been proved and that, moreover, it was impossible to determine one. These arguments proved of no avail, and, in the end, the defendant company was fined the sum of $1,000, a salutary punishment indeed. A similar case has also been brought against another department store, but that, up to the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.