ALLEGED EXTORTION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 125, 28 May 1915, Page 6

ALLEGED EXTORTION

In the news columns of The Poet to-day appears a copy of an open letter addressed by Mr. Fairbaim, merchant, to the Prime Minister. This statement repeats, with impressive details, Mr. Fairbaim'e charge that certain merchants, on the outbreak of war, raised prices, extortionateJy, against the public, without justification. When this accusation was first made there wae manifestly a charge to be a-nswered, but The Post is not aware that any satisfactory defence has been offered. My. Fairbairn, apparently, holds the field as an accuser, and he awaits contradiction. Mr. Massey admits the obvious— that Mr. Fairbaim, in accordance with established practice, is entitled to a copy of the evidence which he gave to the Food Commission months ago — but the Prime Minister hag declined to be drawn into a controversy at present. Between the lines |of Mr. Massey's brief comment on the charge one may read that the matter ieone between Mr. Fairbaim and the Commission, but such an answer is small comfort to the people who have paid " war prices." On present evidence the natural disposition, of the public is to side with Mr. Fairbaim. The average New Zea-' lander is inclined to regard the accused persons as guilty till they can submit proof of their innocence. Certain " war prices" have undoubtedly created more than mere suspicion of exploitation, and the people await evidence to show that such an opinion is incorrect or unfair. If Mr. Fairbaim had made only vague charges one could understand an in-, different attitude by the Commission towards his words, bnfc he has given chapter aoid veree. His charge demands an answer, but the answer waits. This lack of an adequate reply to a merchant who accuses other merchants of exorbitant profits has necessarily tended to shake public confidence in the Commission, whose enquiries have been conducted privately. Practically, the statements of Mr. Fairbaim, who is a very important witness, have not been taken seriously — so far as the public can' deduco from the very meagre reports which have come from tie Commission — and this treatment will, not help to restore confidence in the Commission. The great "third party"— the large body of consumers—believes that it has reason to feel aggrieved, and this feeling will not be removed without a fair open hearing of the case raised by Mr. Fairbaim. Any assertion that he has a feud with other merchants, dating to a time before the Cost of Living Commission wa6 appointed in 1912, will not satisfy the public. The people expect an answer to the accuser's charges, and they have a right to ask for explanations. The silence and secrecy operate against the | Government. The mood of the paying public is unmistakably to believe in the old line: "Silence gives consent." It may be tine that prices in New Zealand do not compare unfavourably with the figures in other parts of the Empire, but any statement of that kind will not put Mr. Fairbaim summarily out of court. The people want light on this dark mysterious subject, and they will not be appeased till they get tho illumination.