FRANCE ON THE TRAIL OF THE MONOPOLIST.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1209, 26 November 1919, Page 2

FRANCE ON THE TRAIL OF THE MONOPOLIST.

■ HIGH PRICES RUTHLESSLY CUT.

PARIS, August 10,

War against profiteers and high prices continue in France, especially in Paris.

The "local offensive' of the residents of the Montmartro quarter, who last week started a 'Leagu 0 of Consumers,' with the object of controlling (he prices of food articles in their district, has given such good results that a similar initiative is being taken by residents of other quarters in tho city. Tu tho Latin Quarter the students have started their own 'League of Consumers,' and have elected as [.resident of: the league a young avocat who is an invalid of the 'war.

They visit markets and shops, and. without, any act of violence whatever, see that unreasonable prices arc not demanded for food products. While a dozen 'student controllers' were making an inspection of the picturesque open-air market in the old nud populous. Kuo do Mouil'ctnrd, at the back of f.h 0 Pantheon, they noticed that some merchants were charging ad for a salad. 'We have been to tho central markets this morning. We know the average .price for all food an ides. You have not paid more than .Pod for your salads. Sell them at '2\Ud if you like, but no more.' The merchant protested., 'You had better change your price, quieklv, or we report you 10 the police,' said the student controller. The merchant obeyed.

These students were policing ilio market in a very eleyer manner. They linJ small groups of their members following thereon (rollers —to see that the profiteers did not. raise their prices after the 'controllers' had passed on. '■'■■ 40 Per Cent. Off Prices. The result, of the visit of the fcontrollers ' in (he market of the Huo de Mou(Tetard was a fall of 40 per cent, in tlie prices of vegetables and fruits. While the controllers of,the "Montma rte League 'operated' in their own district, this morning, members of the league committee. yts.it,cd, the Central Markets, with .'the .object of 'ascertaining how the. wholesale prices are being lixed.

The various leagues already in existence have appointed, some "of their members to go to the Central Markets' every morning and coiitrol wholesale prices. Various associations of demobilised soldiers are starting a co-operative, which is going to l)e a vast organisation/by means of winch ex-soldiers'and their families will, be able (o obtain various articles, including clothing, at moderate prices. Even iir (he aristocratic mutrtor if

the Etoilo rich residents aro Btaiting a co-operutivo shop 'for people of independent means,' as the new co-opera-calls itself, in order to ehow the profiteers that rich people assoeiata themselves with the others in the wo» against profiteering, and have no <Jesire to bo an easy prey for the profiteers.