N.Z. PRICES HIGHER THAN AUSTRALIAN -MR. SULLIVAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22656, 5 June 1948, Page 6

N.Z. PRICES HIGHER THAN AUSTRALIAN -MR. SULLIVAN

In spite of cabled contradictions from Sydney Mr. \V. Sullivan, M.l’for Bay of Plenty, still maintains that New Zealand prices in general, and building prices in particular, are higher than those in Australia. lie said in Wellington on Thursday that lie is still receiving letters supporting Ills views. ‘T received two letters from New Zealanders who recently returned from Australia, and one from an Australian who recently came over here to work in the building trade, confirming what I said,” stated Mr Sullivan. ‘.‘The Australian tradesman, now living in Taranaki, said he had brought with him his complete kit of tools because he had been warned that tools were 25 per cent, dearer than in Australia, and had since found that to be so. ”I can also quote Mr A. L. O’Donnell who. in April, 1947, came over from Australia to take the position of lecturer in electrical engineering at Auckland University College, but resigned in November to return to Sydney, as he and his family had been obliged to live in a seaside bach costing £3 5s a week, and he considered that living costs were 50 per cent, higher than in Sydney” Other Prices. Referring to prices of fruit and vegetables. Mr. Sullivan said citydwellers in New Zealand . would be glad to buy these at the prices quoted by Mr. Mentiplay. especially grapes at Is a pound and mandarins at 2d. Something might well have been mentioned about other Australian prices, such as tea at 2s 9d a pound, suaar 4td. canned peaches at Is 5d a 30oz. tin. and hundreds of other lines, prices of which could be verified by reference to the “Australian Grocer.” published in Melbourne and dated April 20 1948. There were also subsidies in New Zealand. totalling over £12,000.000 a year. “Sydney is not all Australia.” concluded Mr. Sullivan. “If Mr. Mentiplay cannot buy shirts for 10s and 18s in Sydney, he might try the Mver Emporium in Melbourne, where I bought mine. “Secondly, it is amusing that with Labour Governments in office on both sides of the Tasman we should have this spirited discussion to . which . is suffering the worst from high living costs. Finally. I think it. would benefit Australians and also New Zealanders living in Australia, to visit New Zealand and study current, prices for themselves. They would soon find they have much to be thankful for.'