MIXED RECEPTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27384, 9 May 1950, Page 6

MIXED RECEPTION

Increased Prices Of Goods OPTIMISTIC CUSTOMERS t Trades People Adamant The results of the Prime Minister’s announcement of increased prices owing to the removal of subsidies were experienced in no uncertain manner by tradespeople in Dunedin yesterday—by their customers. “ There were plenty of grizzles,” was the way in which a grocer summed up the reaction of his patrons. In spite of the announcements by both the press and the radio, there were people in Dunedin yesterday who did not know that new prices were in force for tea, butter, bread and flour. When they went to purchase their supplies of bread they looked askance at the shop-keepers when they were asked for an extra 2d for a loaf. A number of people pocketed their pride in order to attempt to save a “ nimble ” shrilling. In one city grocery store there was a stream of customers who had almost identical excuses for asking that their butter, tea or flour should be supplied to them at the rate that ruled, last Friday. The husband (or the wife) had had instructions to get the tea. butter, flour, eggs (or anything else on which the price might conceivably be increased) on Friday, but had not done so, and “ could I please have my ration of butter, my tea and some flour—a 251 b bag would do—at the old rate? ” But their hopes were doomed to disappointment. So far as the grocers, the bakers and the tradesmen generally were concerned, they had “missed the bus.” With recollections of having to carry the cost of rationing administration still rather fresh in their minds, the tradespeople were not inclined to be sympathetic. For once it was their turn, and although relations ' might be slightly strained for the moment, on this occasion at least the customer was not right, and the Prime Minister himself was the shopkeepers’ authority for the additional charges. The “forgetful,” the steady customers, the casuals always hoping for a “soft” attendant behind the counter, and the opportunists who had already been around dairies and small shops on Saturday buying up what they could at the former price, had to dip into their pockets to find the extra money required for their purchases. Some of the customers, however, were quite realistic about it. “At least we know how much our money is worth n ow,” they said. “The sooner controls come off everything, and we know where we stand, the better for this country. Perhaps by then some people will realise that we cannot have cheaper goods if we do not work hard enough to produce them.”