The Price of Bread.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5611, 6 May 1886, Page 3

The Price of Bread.

TO THE BDITOB OP THE STAB. Sib, — Most persons acquainted with our excellent little seaport are aware of the powerful echoes which reverberate amid the cliffs and gullies of our rock-bound shore ; but, loud and imposing as those sounds may be, they are but sounds after all — Vox\et praeteria nihil. The "wail" which appeared in your columns last evening wa3 but an echo of other wails before. Some months ago the same cry arose, and I then pointed out to the working men of Lyttelton that their remedy was to be j found in co-operation. Of course co-opera-i tion means, to those who have no surplus I cash, a certain amount of self-sacrifice ; but i no great good was ever achieved without it. The man who can scarcely find the means to feed and clothe his children, vrill tell me that he cannot spare anything out of his limited income towards the establishment of a Co-operative Company. While he is telling me this, he will probably be cutting up his tobacco, close to the door of the "pub" from which he has just emerged, after { spending threepence for half a pint of beer. I 1 am not a total abstainer, and I can enjoy | a smoke; but I have more than once, ; during my Colonial experience, put my ! pipe away for months, and "given up i alcoholic drinks as rigidly as the best Blue I Ribbonite, when I had an object to gain. No man in the Colony knows better than ! myself how hard the poor man has to j struggle to Bupport a young and increasing j family, but I repeat to-day what I have I said " many a time and oft," that the | cowardly selfishness of the labouring class is the principle cause of their distress. Voluntary self-denial is as rare as a knowledge of Sanscrit, and until men learn and practice self-denial, and confidence in each other, they will always be the easy prey of trade rings and the Blaves' of capital. Let me impress upon my fellowmen the words of the bard — j " Ever to thyself be trno, j Thou canst not then be falso to any man." If working men would be true to their own interests, they would be true to each t other ; we should have no " rats." A few pence saved weekly, though done by hard pinching, would soon grow to shillings, and the shillings to pounds. A fund could thus be raised to establish a co-operative etore and bakery, and the evils now so justly complained of would soon be removed. There are, I am certain, a few good men and true to be found in Lyttelton, who could and would successfully conduct such an undertaking as I have suggested. What has been done elsewhere can be done here, if_ those who desire to shift the waggon will honestly put their shoulders to the wheel. The providential trinity on which I rely ia a stout heart, a clear eye, and a willing band. Let the working men exercise these honestly, and their success ia certain. — I am, &c, DEMOCRITUS. Lyttelton, May 5. TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE STAB. Sih, — If the person signing himself "Hard Up" in last night's Star can buy a 41b loaf of bread at Lyttelton for sixpence, he can get as much for his money as if he purchased bread in Christchurch. The Christchurch bakers make what is called fancy bread, which is not sold by weight, only by the loaf. I doubt very much if "Hard Up" went into -any baker's shop in Christchurch, and naked for a 41b loaf, or 21b loaf, that he would be supplied. It i 3 a matter that can ho very easily proved. — I am, &c., K.

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