PRICE OF FLOUR, ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 56, 8 March 1915, Page 3

PRICE OF FLOUR, ETC.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— To-night's Post^affords rather interesting reading regarding the Prime Minister's explanation pi the present price of bread. "People," he is reported to have said, "do not appreciate the position." Probably not; but they certainly make strong objection to the prices of flour and bread. Of the former, "25" bags are 5s 6d, which previously could be bought for 3s 6d, and bread is at lOd a 41b loaf. The Prime Minister knows as well as anyone else that, had ■ there been no war, not a bushel of wheat would have been imported. He made a statement prior to the war that there was enough wheat in the country to last till the new wheat came in. Now, this I stock was held by the speculators, many of whom had bought at 3s 9d to 4s per bushel; hence the exploitation of the public. The Food Commission was appointed to protect the interests of the people. . In spite of the Commission, the exploiters can charge what prices they choose, because the Act makes no provision for a penalty for so doing. I honestly believe were the Prime Minister a free agent things would be different ; but when we know the party behind him we begin to understand. The Prime Minister often boasts of his democratic principles and of having the confidence of the public. Here is an opportunity of showing that the confidence is not misplaced. Let him take some action, and protect our interests. Re-garding-Mr. Kellow's remarks, I prefer to take Mr. Francis's figures, which show that the bakers — some of them at any rate — are on a good wicket. — I am, etc., . SUFFERER. Wellington, sth March, 1915.