The Thames Star. TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1912. EDITORIAL.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10289, 2 July 1912, Page 2

The Thames Star.

TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1912. EDITORIAL.

Rcsur/cxi

THE GOST OF LIVING. FIXTNO TT^ p-nfCES OF COM- ' MOMTIESi.

Tlio Cost of Living Commission has concluded its sitting at Auckland and to those who perused the evidence tendered it must be par, snl th.it 23rices of certain commodities are controlled 1 by rings and trade combines. This is evident from the fact that in many instances orders from retailers wiio 'were not members of certain associations were refused: I some instances the manufacturer or the Wholesale supplier actually expressed regret that .the applicant— an honest tradesman endeavouring to extend his business'—could not be supplied "with the goods he had ordered and was perfectly willing to pay for. If this is not stifling legitimate competition and assisting in the establishment" of a trade monopoly, we Would dearly like to know what is? In other cases, somewhat isolated ones; it must be admitted, the order was supplied and a certain' defiance of the questionable commercial methods evidently in vogue was manifested. Biit soon the parties who sought to exercise some little independence, Were brought to heel and they wfre quietly absorbed within the "ring." If these methods proved \iu successful the relations Ivtw'een mievdiant aaid retailer were made so unpleasant a.g to cause disruption and subsequently a. complete severance, leaving the "ring" in undispmted possession of the field. There w!as one member of the Commission to wliiic-llu some personal ob- 1 jccitioti Was raised. It was however evident, from the hostile ma.nn.er displayed by several eligible witnesses who declined to proffer' testimony, that the antipathy was manifested because he possessed such an intimate knowledge of the practices adopted, and displayed a fearlessness of utterance that was commendable. ■, If the Cost of Living Commiission cannot ascertain the reason for the substantial increase that has occurred in the cmt of living, ap^rt from the natui'nl indrea.se expected in view of the advanced rate of pay to workers, we think wo car. assist them. May we suggest that an r-n----dea.vour be made to secure a oripiv of the sdhcdule arranged by a certain association! by which the prices of imported stocik' lines were fixed? ff this Were done we believe much valuable evidence wonfld lie secured as to why the cost of living 1 is becoming fiiieh a Rerious problem *>r tho a'.terage working man of to-day.