British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 1003

CHAPTER XXYI.

ing tinned fish. This Order was revoked in 1945 and the only control now exercised imposes maximum prices for salted fish, tinned fish, and Aqaba fish caught under a Government sponsored scheme. Supplies are still inadequate to meet the demand and prices are such that the wealthier section of the community only are able to purchase fresh fish.

MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS.

46. Owing to its perishable nature, only home produced supplies of milk were available both before and during the war, but the prospect of the cutting off of imported supplies of those milk products which could be manufactured in Palestine rendered control necessary on the outbreak of hostilities and milk was, therefore, declared a controlled commodity in September, 1930*, although maximum prices were not fixed until October, 1943 ** and, subject to subsequent amendment, are still in force. It was found impossible to institute physical control on milk owing to the varieties of milk produced in the country (cows', goats', sheep's and water buffaloes'), and also the complete lack, outside of the Tnuva organisation, of modern depots either in town or country where milk could be centralised and controlled.

47. Cheese was declared a controlled commodity in September, 1939*** though a maximum price for cheese of European types was made applicable only in March, 1943 t to "standard" cheese; it remains in force. This "standard" cheese is half fat cheese which it was decided should form a compulsory minimum portion of the output of all cheese makers, the remainder of their output being left free from price control to compensate for the low price of this variety. "Oriental" cheese became a controlled commodity in September, 1939 tt, the maximum prices, which are still in force, being brought into operation in March, 1943 tt. An attempt was made in March, 1944 to bring locally produced oriental types of cheese under control by restricting the movement between different areas, but this attempt was unsuccessful and was abandoned in September of the same year.

Soft white cheese was declared a controlled commodity in September, 1939 , and maximum prices were fixed in March, 1943 these continue in operation subject to subsequent amendments.

48. As regards butter Palestine had to rely after 1941 entirely on home production, butter being declared a controlled commodity in
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* Laws of 1939, Vol. III, page 815.
** Laws of 1943, Vol. ill, page 937.
*** Laws of 1939, Vol. III. page 815.
t Laws of 1943, Vol. II, page 194.
tt Laws of 1939, Vol. III. page 815.
ttt Laws of 1943, Vol. II, page 194.
Laws of 1939. Vol. Ill. page 815.
Laws of 1943, Vol. II, page 194.

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