CORRESPONDENCE LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 November 1925, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

’ (To the Editor) Sir,—-I thought I commenced my l previous letter 1 by saying ‘it’was un- , iair do quote - an isolated instance of different prices-‘for a similar line, as representing* the' general tendency of pricesj this being my'reference to the flag in ' question. ; 'The' ‘ Editor evi- , dently I 'blue-pencilled 'this reference. If the circumstances of .-those wo purchases were placed before an inuependent arbitrator, in’ a*l-probabil-ity, there would -be some justifiable reason for the- diiference. rhe nags were‘admittedly different in one particular 1 (size),' and ; ' other differences, as io litter date ■of - purchase, slump in prices etc.,'. might - be -foundcmto balance the difference of price. This could only be ployed by' arbitration and if your writer is ■ prepared to give his bona fides to the Editor, he can have niine,’and I am- prepared to seek an enquiry ■ into ;i t'he - ’ matter. He also/ placed the’ cart - before .the - ..horse in this/that it was his loyalty to the town 'that -was in question:* loyalty to the flag was just a type. My point Was-that even .if things -were; diearer (whidh is not-admitted), one ought, to support tlie community in which one’s interests and livelihood are situated. The prices of “standardised lines'’ of drapery I .referred to were .such lines as.; “Wolsey” underwear, . and; men’s toilet ’wear, not at job prices. Here is a fair offer to convince your correspondent or any -cither interested reader. Naturally one can not use names of traders in correspondence, but- llet him exchange his - bona fides with me. via the Editor, and I am prepared to convince him. from the

next big Christchurch price list that comes- along,, that Greymouth prices are lower in many, lines. Or if the Editor is prepared to arbitrate, I will show him the proof. > But any discriminating buyer can prove for himself by. consulting advertised prices, and prices in shop windows that Greymouth prices are fair prices. A gentleman who.has just returned from working in Christchurc'h (name available) said he came back . because living was too dear there, and nearly everything was cheaper here. A crockery dealer tells nie that' the reason why 'he cannot sell ' certain lines of glassware is that they are too cheap, and customers think the quality is not 1 there, but he. is convinced.' that they” are only ,too pleased to buy the same quality <jf goods at twice tho price in Christchurch. Hero are two specific instances'' he gave. He sold a lady a vase for £1 ■ 10s. While, in a shop at Christchurch he saw the safiie kind of Vase change 'hands 1 for £4 IQs. He had a “Gouda” bowl for £5. A-traveller in mat line said Christchurch • firms were charging 15 . guineas for the same thing in a little larger size.' l Let any of your readers, who are at all m doubt put - 't'he question fairly to their local tradesmen and they will no doubt be convinced- as to the reasonableness of prices here. Tnere are several-firms in town who have branches elsewhere, - and ■ can give you assurance * that prices are no higher than elsewhere, - There'are several people who consider it fashionable to shop at the - “centres’’ a,s. people beHevfe in the magic, of names lik« “London”, j “Paris” “New York.” But they pay dearly their foibles. It is more particularly to this class of people that we appeal to be loyal to the. town -of • their- domicile. Th ; s closes my case. Any further evidence can only be qv arbitration, as suggested. I would; only suggest that., the publication ■of loose critiwsm as-in the original letter, with the possibility of being broadcasted through the Press will do the ■ town l no good. —Yours etc., .... . ( . A DEAL FAIRER. . (Our correspondent’s previous letter was published as received.—Ed. ‘‘Star’’). i ... ...■ •• ■