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Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15308, 23 February 1920, Page 3

Two ancient trade secrets which the world probably never will learn are the Chinese method of making a brilliant verrnillion colour and the Turkish method of inlaying gold and silver on the hardest steel.

Mr C. J. Ward, expert adviser to the Board of Trade on leather matters, speaking in Christchurch to a reporter said that the Federal Trade Commission fixes its prices on quite a different system from that operating here. In New Zealand the prices are fixed to prevent profiteering. la America the prices are made high to stimulate production. Mr Victor Murdocli (chairman of the Federal Trade Commission) told Mr Wnrd: ''There was 60 or 70 per cent of production to meet 100 per cent of demand. That meant high prices. Increased production was the sole corrective of the position, and to secure the object aimed at tlie reward must be increased Once the production equalled the demand the markets could take rare of themselves." The Federal Trnde Commission was averse to'proseouting for profiteering, holding that the little man is not "worth powder ami shot." and that tlie big man can afford neitalties. It relies largely on publicity. If prices go beyond a certain margin, it publishes figures on the cost of production of articles concerned, and on vhat should be the legitimate nrofit There are so many anti-pro-fitpoi'ijio; leagues that an article fos which it is considered the price is excessive is effpct'vely boycotted. In one ci+v honßevives successfully conducted n boycott of milk for a fortnight. .