THE TOBACCO DUTY.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2994, 21 November 1879, Page 3

THE TOBACCO DUTY.

To the Fditor of the STAR.

Sir, —In your issue this evening is a letter signed "S. C. Brown." I fancy human selfishness dictates individually to business men to look out for No. I—few, if they would tell the truth, care for outside iuterest. I wonder if grocers would like to see co-operative stores started all over the town. Scarcely, and yet grocers will, with few exceptions, pirate any business. They now dictate to producers the price of thoir butter and eggs. How would they like consumers to fix the price they would pay for currants, raisins, &C. I should not be surprised that the reply will shortly be, if a grocer is asked for a bullock's hear 1' or a few thousand shingles, " Just out, but will get, etc., etc." It publicans are allowed a monopoly, why not give others a similar beueftt? A tobacconist, pure and simple, should be able to judge his particular article of trade better than a dealer in nearly everything under the sun ; anything made up- in plugs will do a grocer. Women on Saturday nights often buy their husbands' tobacco at the grocers, and any amount of matches. Grocers occasionally sell cabbages, carrots, &c.. and fruit when there is a good profit to he got; but eight or nine months in the year, when fruit is risky, the greengrocer has to supply public requirements. Of all trades grocers so-called require the least consideration. If they can make anything out of the sale of tobacco let them pay a license as proposed by the tobacconists.—l am, sir, , J. C. Hart, Newton.