REDUCING LIVING COSTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144085, 2 May 1913, Page 5

REDUCING LIVING COSTS.

A STEP IN THE RIGHT'DIRECTION AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW. (Re-printed from -Wanganui, Herald.), The average citizen ha-s proven by long experience that good medici--' costs money. One’s chemist may bo the best of' good -.fellows, but when all is said and done he’s in the business for profit, and the man who puts up; a good healing specific is out to get full value for it. Knowing this, it occurred to the inquisitive newspaper man that it might be worth while, in the public interest, to delve for information concerning the genesis and bona fides of "Heati’s Essence”— a freely advertised prescription for a family cough and cold medicine, claim lug the unique distinction of saving the. purchaser nine shillings on an eighteenpenny investment. The peculiarity of tho preparation and its advertising is, of course, that the manufacturer recommends users to apply the finishing touches themselves, and in doing so reserve for their own pockets the expenses and profits that must otherwise be charged in the finished article.

There is nothing-like going to the fountain-head, and as ilr. G. IV- Mean, of Mean’s Pharmacy, accepts full responsibility for this unusual method of supplying rough medicine, the pressman politely invited that gentleman to take the public into his confidence, and as he put it, “tell them how and why it’s- done.”

Mr. Mean cheerfully responded. "I th might I. had clone that already," he said. I- I have endeavoured in tho advertising to tell plainly tho why and the wherefor about 'Mean’s Essence.’ Still, the more light the belter. The method I have adopted in offering a good family cough remedy is so much out of the ordinary that the more it is explained tho bettor for the public and the better for me. It is simply a practical adaptation of the principle of giving tho buyer tho best possible value for his money, both as to quality, and to quantity.” ‘‘Yes, but the difference between' the cost of a bottle of any other cough medicine and ‘Mean's Essence,’ concentrated, is so great.” “Precisely, but there again the explanation is simple. This little bottle contains tho concentrated essentials—the entire medicinal and curative properties of tho prescription. When diluted and mixed with water, sugar and treacle, as explained on the label, it will make seven or eight lull-sized bottles of good cough mixture of the regular eighteenpen Uy size. Do you see the point? If I add this concentrated ‘Essence’ to the other things, find so many more bottles, corks, labels, cartons, Wrappings and labour, I must, of necessity,'produce so much more expense, ami obtain a l 'profit ou that expense, floods, and labour cost money—there is no getting away from that Lnt. Hut if, on tho other hand 1 , I supply - the' necessary medicinal ingredients only, and. you supply your own sugar, trqackv water and mixing, you pi m cut not only tho expense of these things;'but, also, tha coat of several extra bottles;' corks, etc., which

are ol no use to yon. Your own jug or any big bottle at home, can hold ,the finished cough mix hi re of the ready-tei-take strength just its easily a« a number of small bottles. Its preparation, after obtaining. the concentrated ‘Mean's Essence.’ is so' simple and easy that any .-.mother, or' father will readily prepare ic. Tito only expert knowledge required is in the preparation of ~ concentrated ‘Essence, and this L am supplying in the purest quality and as low as possible in price.” "“Yes, but if you;sell one.bottle,concentrated where you,formerly sofd eight of ordinary strength your own sales and profits will surely be that much wc.-so Off.” .;•■■■ “Not a bit of it,” replied -Mr. Moan. “I .haven't the slightest fear. 'The public quickly recognises a real moneysaving proposition. First, the article is as good as can bo made for general family use—l took every care in that direction before making ‘Mean’s Essence’ known-r-and, second, the big saving in-price,is top interesting to be ignored—mothers and fathers will attend to that part. They will try ‘Mean’s Essence,’ and,, finding it good, will continue its use whenever required, instead of buying the articles made in other countries, and at the same old prices. In the end I will sell as many more bottles of ‘Mean’s Essence,’ concentrated, as I have formerly sold of ordinary strengths. To save about nine shillings on a pint of cough medicine is now a proven fact—-a very considerable item in any borne, and especially where there is a family. I will do as well finally, and my customers will benefit from the start. “It , means moro than the actual monetary saving, however. it means also 'that there need bo no skimping on the score of expense. Being entirely free from the slightest taint of anything harmful, an extra dose dr two can be taken whenever a cough is troublesome without raising the thought of another bottle to be bought. ‘Mean’s Essence’ is just what I say it is—the concentrated medicinal ingredients for preparing at homo a-reliable family cough and cold remedy, and a genuine yet harmless'medicine, at a big saving in price. 'NeedT say any more?” The newspaper man' 'thought not. Being a family maii lie clinched the interview by vmrehasing a bottle of “Hean’s Essence,” concentrated. “Heart’s Essence” Is now procurable at most grocers and chemists in New Plymouth. If your 'chemist or grocer has not yet stocked it, he can easily procure from wholesalers for you, or post free on receipt of price, Is (id,.from Mean, Chemist, Wanganui... Wholesale from -Nowton King, Burgeks. Fraser and Co., J. H. Cock and Co.,,Ltd.—Advt. - ■,