WELLINGTON NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16724, 27 April 1920, Page 6

WELLINGTON NOTES.

REPLACEMENT COST. AS THE TEST ,OF PRICES. BV TEUKOIUPn. —OWN COIIRKSPONDENT. WELLINGTON, Apri 26. ISorao comment is being made regarding the traders’ contention that replacement cost is a. 'fair basis on which to base the price of goods. The argument for the right to charge the replacement price is that tho dealer has to sell goods at a loss on a fulling market and should bo entitled to recoup himself on a rising market. One or two recent instances tend to showy however, that this argument is one reserved for the tradesman’s use. For example when tho price of hides rose suddenly leather and boot prices were advanced by certain concerns, but when bide prices suddenly began to decline there was no word of a fall in the price of boots.

Again tho price of tea has risen to a great, extent within the last two months, but now a fall, amounting on the average to 4d a lb. is announced from the wholesale market, it is stated that it will not mean cheaper tea to tlie public for a while, ns most dealers are stocked up with tea bought at tho 'higher prices. SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS. The announcement that the Labour Party proposed making a big effort to capturn school committees at the elections has aroused some interest in Wellington. An effort was made last year and in one or two cases it was successful; but mainly where Labour people by a display of great energy gave promise of infusing life into the school administration. Where the selection, offered had no merit beyond the faefo that it was Labour “ticket” it was and completely rejected. This year the effort promises to bo on a bigger scale and, led by the Welfare League, there has been a strong counter agitation with the consequence that there is likely to bo a record muster at householders’ meetings.