Women Attack Rising Prices, Marketing

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31290, 9 February 1967, Page 14

Women Attack Rising Prices, Marketing

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, February 8. Housewives by the hundred protested against rising prices, marketing methods and questionable packaging at a lively meeting at Takapuna tonight.

The meeting, attended by more than 300 women and about a dozen men from most parts of the North Shore, was the first of its kind held by the recently-formed organisation C.A.R.P. (Campaign Against Rising Prices).

The president of the organisation, Mrs F. A. Humphries, outlined C-A.R.P.’s aims and objects, and said th it had a policy involving only one Issue—prices and the cost of living.

She said that C.A.R.P. was against gimmicks and certain kinds of advertising. People who bought toothpaste, for instance, did not want a pen stuck to it. If they did, they should be aware that they were paying for the pen. She emphasised that the organisation had no connexion with any political party. It would, however, criticise any government which allowed prices to rise without justification.

School Uniforms Mrs P, M. Beale, the mother of 10 children, and convener of the meeting, was applauded when she suggested that there should be conformity In school uniforms. Individual schools eould preserve their identity by means of badges or hat shapes, she said. Soap powder, which a year ago cost 3s 5d was today selling at 4s Id, said Mrs Beale. This rise could hardly be the result of increased wages. Fishermen were getting 4d per lb for their catch, which was selling at between 3s 6d and 4s 4d, and middlemen were making between 800 per cent and 900 per cent profit. She also criticised fruit and potato prices and quality.

An elderly woman from Brown Bay questioned whether women really wanted the chance to win • car when buying their groceries, and said that she would rather have the retailer keep the oar and lower his prices. A Bayswater woman said: "The Government is now talking about lifting subsidies on milk, eggs, butter and bread, which will only mean higher prices. Are we going to let them do this?" (Cries of “No.") A Torbay woman said she bought an "economy" size

packet of soap powder and a packet of the same brand in a smaller size. Weighing proved that they contained the same amount. Another woman complained that many schools asked parents to give £1 for each pupil for amenities funds. This was supposed to be voluntary, but if it was not paid parents received nasty reminders about it not being received.

The meeting elected a subcommittee of 14 women and one man, a pensioner, for the North Shore.