THE PRICES OF FOOD. ETC.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 275, 6 November 1916, Page 6

THE PRICES OF FOOD. ETC.

[TO ths kditob.] Sir,—Last week I read in your paper, a cabled synopsis from Mr. Massey of his week’s doings, which were apparently’ a mixture of feeding and talking, with one illuminating feature about fixing the price of meat, but where his partner (Sir Joseph Ward) in this Empire building business comes in, I don’t know. It strikes me as a casual observer, that both Massey’ and Ward could well have remained in Wellington, and dealt with the meat problem from a New Zealand consumer’s point of view, for London has heard more than enough talk lately from Australian politicians, and if our precious pair emulate Hughes, in gambolling around duchesses’ drawing rooms, then when they return, they will probably be as big missfires as Hughes was, although it Ts “odds on” that the baronet remains where he is, to teach Asquith and Lloyd George their business, or to save the Empire, or something similar. With rump steak at lid a pound, and other commodities as high as the Alps, the average worker wants to know the reason, and where the hundeed per cent, increase is going, but the only satisfaction he can get, is that-Massey’ (assisted by his partner) is talking in London and the other Ministers are scooting round New Zealand like scalded cats, at the expense of the taxpayers, making their marbles good for next election—somebody remarks, “recruiting speeches,” well, I have heard McNab, and he would chill a tombstone. Had Hughes won this referendum, Massey would have followed him into the ring, and fought all our monopolies, per medium of a referendum, the last resort of weak-kneed politicians. In the meantime, our rich are getting richer, and our poor poorer, but turtle soup is still on tap in London —for politicians.—l am, etc.,' PLAIN BILL.