PROFITEERING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14984, 11 August 1919, Page 6

PROFITEERING.

ITO the Editor of the Herald.) •Sir, — In your impression of Thursday last, the . leading article' dealt with the cost of living. The importance of this subject can hardly be overstated at the present time. You told us of the strike of the Parisian ladies against the high price of stockings and gloves. In the same article you tell us that a pair of stockings sold by the Canadian manufacturer for 3s 3d is retailejd at 10s sd ; also that boots and shoes are being sold at double the factory price. Now, sir, it is indeed refreshing to find that iv some countries at least, the cost and selling prices are , given, and thus the public are put jn' a position to judge more accurately where the greatest exploiting takes place. When Mr. Massey was interviewed m Auckland the other day, he is reported to have said 'that the National Government had done all it could to keep down the cost of living and to stop profiteering. Now, sir, I venturo to join issue with. Mr. Massey on this point, and say they have only played with this matter; that the present "Board of Trade" have only dealt m generalities, and have not come £0 grips with this monster; that only 'in the matter of flour and the cost of bread have they given figures enabling the, public to judge whether fair or unfair profits .are being made. The present unrest the wide' world over, I venture to say,' rests largely, if not solely, on account of. the excessive profits being charged by manufacturers, merchants and' traders — some or aJI of them. Now, sir, I am firmly of opinion that the Government should get at the cost and determine the selling priceß of all poods m every day Use. As .far as this affects the farmer this has been done. The price of- his. wool, hides; mutton, beef, butter, have- all been fixed at a price far below their time market value, and he is being exploited m every market m which he buys. Is it not high tim e the farmer and householders generally demanded a more searching investigation than haa yet- taken place on this subject? Trusting things will not be allowed to rest where they are., l am, etc., FRANCIS STAFFORD. ,