To the Editor of the Nelson Examiner.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 95, 30 December 1843, Page 379

To the Editor of the Nelson Examiner.

Sir— ln your last paper appeared a letter signed "Anti- Monopoly," the writer of which affects to be very indignant with the Nelson merchants and storekeepers for grinding out of the poor such exhorbitant prices for the necessaries of life, and more particularly for that chief necessary — bread. As I previously entertained the idea that this settlement bad reason to rejoice in its cheap living, your correspondent's remarks led me to examine the monopoly he so virtuously denounces, and search for the evils it .has brought about. The first discovery I made was, that before any "monopoly" (but the bakers') existed, or, in other words, before any of our merchants invested their capital in flour, and vessels laden with that article, after disposing of a few tons to those who could afford to purchase, were suffered to take it elsewhere in 6earch of a market, the price was uniformly high, ranging from £32 to £35 the ton, and the 4-lb. loaf selling at Is. 6d. to 2s. 2d. When this "free trade" system terminated, and some of our merchants became holders of flour, partly as small purchasers, and partly as consignees of Wellington houses, the price came down to £23 and £24 the ton, and the loaf at le. 2d. ; but these indididuals having now become better acquainted with the wants of the place, purchase a few hundred tons at once, which they are selling at £18, and the loaf is down to '/4d. I am afraid, Mr. Editor, that your correspondent will find it as difficult to persuade your readers that the present system is a "ruinous one," as that such a thing as a monopoly in flour exists. It is but a few weeks since the cargo of the Osprey was offered publicly by auction, nor was that the firßt occasion when all possessing money might have purchased in moderate quantities direct from the vessel. Does he wish those to purchase also who have none ? It is scarcely necessary to advert to the other part of your correspondent's letter. A little candour might have shown him how a person visiting the Sydney market in its present depressed state, might be enabled to purchase for cash, articles which be could afford to undersell those who were dependent on chance visits of vessels for a supply. But Anti- Monopoly is evidently a " good hater," and, like the knight of La Mancha, if he can discover neither giants nor castles which he may encounter, he seems determined to have a slap at the windmills. I am, sir, A Nelson Settler, but No-Storekeeper.