PHILOSOPHY RULES

Press, 5 June 1982, Page 14

PHILOSOPHY RULES

By

Whim Wham

. . . the Government's philosophy was to allow competition to keep prices down ... we do believe we have to move gradually and steadily towards a more competitive situation . . . —Mr Templeton. Minister of Trade and Industry.

So long as- A competes with B And Both (or either) vie with C, Selling me Food, or Drink, or Raiment, Accepting gratefully in Payment Whatever the Market—which is Me— Can, or belives It can. afford— All This is happily in Accord With Government's ‘Philosophy’! Don't say You never knew It had one. It has! And if it's not a bad one, Magic it’s not, there's no Magician— It's Competition! Tell me, now, Sir, if -you've got the Insight, how Competitive is Competition?

A, B, and C compete—that's fine! Till one Day, B and C combine— Did this occur, or did it not. Because the Competition got Uncomfortably hot? Next, They Take over, join or 'merge' with A — Some Shares change Hands, the Way they do, And a Directorship or two— We print new Letterheads, and Cheques, A Group is born—let’s call it X! And Competition is the Name Of this Philosophy, this Game.

While You and I compete, for What? Jobs. Medals. Mortgages-the Lot— The Money Houses for our Savings • To settle hungry Borrowers' CravingsUp goes the Interest, up Inflation! What's this Philosophy he garbles. Or which of Us has lost his Marbles?— A Minister whc'd wish the Nation A MORE competitive Situation!