EXPLOITATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16314, 11 September 1918, Page 8

EXPLOITATION.

I ♦ . A GLARING CASE EXPOSED IN CHRISTCHURCH. CONSIDERATION BY BOARD OF TRADE. At the present time the public are very keen in their resentment against anything that savours of exploitation, and when specific cases, either of adulteration of goods or of unjustly high prices, aro brought under their notije the average person does not trouble very much to restrain his expressions of indignation. This condition on the part of the public is rooted in a widespread feeling that exploitation is proceeding in regard to a much larger number of commodities than can be definitely proved. Among the items that have been mentioned as commodities that have been used to exploit the public is Edmonds Custard Powder. Those mating the complaints have pointed out that prior to' the war the cost of this commodity was Is per large tin, and that the price demanded for the large tins is now Is 3d and Is 6d in the city and as much as Is 8d and Is lOd in the country. It was urged that tho increase in price was so exorbitant that it could not possibly be justified, and that someone was benefiting largely, to tho disadvantage of the public. It was also urged that inasmuch as the Board of Trade had been established ostensibly for the purpose of protecting the public from such exploitation, it was time the Board took action and fixed the price of this commodity, as it is one very widely used in the homes of the people. In order to get at the root of the matter, a "Press" representative decided to go straight to headquarters, namely, tne makers of the commodity, Messrs T. J. Edmonds, of Ferry road. Christchurch. The question was put straight to Mr A. L. Cropp, the firm's general majiager, as to whether the wholesale price of Edmonds Custard Powder had been increased to such an extent as to justify the enormous increase that had. taken place in the retail price. Mr Cropp replied with an emphatic "No," and surprised the questioner very much by asserting further: "That Edmonds "had not inbreaset; the price of their Custard Powder at all during the war period." Mr Cropp was then asked whether he knew it to be a fact that such high prices were being charged for Edmonds Custard Powder. Mr Cropp replied that he did, and said "that there was absolutely no justification for retailers increasing the price above tho Is per largo tin, charged before the war." "Then the difference between Is per tin and the prices now charged by retailers iB excessive profit?" "Decidedly," was tho answer. "Would you have any objection to tho price of Edmonds Custard Powder being fixed by the Board of Trade?" "None at all," replied Mr Cropp. "In fact, we think it ought to be done in justice both to the public and ourselves, and the matter is now under discussion between us and the Board of Trade. People.are under the false impression that Edmonds are responsible for the increase in the price of their custard powder. That impression is wholly wrong. Edmonds is charging the same figure now for its custard powder as it did before the war. It is clear, therefore, from Mr Cropp's definite and authoritative statement that Edmonds have not increased the price for Custard Powder and that the difference between Is per large tin and tho prices now charged by retailers constitutes a gross exploitation of the public, and is, further, most unfair to the firm of Edmonds, which has been, to some extent, anvhow. the victims of a false and damaging impression. q