THE COST OF LIVING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21264, 19 February 1931, Page 5

THE COST OF LIVING.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, —In answer to the letter from your correspondent Mr John W. Beattie in this morning’s Daily Times, I would like, as a small shopkeeper, to comment on a few remarks made by him. Take the price of butter at the present time. Butter is being sold by the grocers at cost price, viz., Is 3d per lb. The grocer has to give credit and deliver his goods. He is expected to sell his goods at the same price as a cut-throat store that is now operating here, and that has, by its methods, put competitors out of business in other centres, with this result: When this store opened up in Wellington, sugar was sold at 2d per 1 lb. Now that it has matters its own way up goes the price to 2ld per lb. Evidently there is no belief in that good old motto, “ Live and let live.” Competition certainly-is the life of trade, but surety it has its limits. This state of things cannot go on for long: a level must be found. —I am, etc., Trying to Make an Honest Crust.