A Challenge.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXV, Issue 12983, 26 January 1910, Page 2

A Challenge.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Under the above heading is a letter, signed by Mr Dustin, in the “Herald” of the 25th inst,, in which he states his willingness to deposit .£lO with the idea of proving his or my statements to be incorrect. No doubt this is done to give apparent strength to his statements, but such a challenge could not be taken seriously, as Mr Dustin well knows, for after all it could be only .his statement against mine. The date of his meeting could prove nothing, therefore the hospital funds are not likely to lie increased on this occasion, and the public will have to take the statements of either party on their merits. However, I would call public attention to a few points which may help them in their decision. lu the first place, Mr.Dustin has to answer my statement: On account oi the master bakers, whom he was representing at tiie time, but personally he did not mind, as he was not making bread.” Aow, when Mr Dustin brought up the question of raising the price of bread, which he did on tho°oecasion of my going to his shop to purchase some small goods for the Co-operative Society, he stated, as he does now, “that bread does not pay at 3tel, and it was time the price was raised, as he, being a large shareholder in the Southern Cross, did not wish to lose money on the bread.” You will therefore be able to see how much Mr Dustin really did mind, as any man would when it directly touched his pocket. I regret to have to put it this way, or even having to write at all, but for the benefit of the public pocket, which after all counts for more than the individual, 1 will endeavour to make the issue clear. Mr Dustin, as a large shareholder in the Southern Cross Company, has publically admitted (see “Herald," January 20, 1910) that bread does not pay at Old, yet this same company in which Mr Dustin is so much interested is selling bread at 2-Jd, and with what object.' Is it because they are making so much money that they can suddenly afford to become public benefactors, or it is that they are temporarily offering a 2jd loaf with one hand, and lidding a big stick in the lorm of a -Id loaf in the other? Which is it? Undoubtedly every buyer of a cheap loaf in U angaimi is rapidly qualifying for a tel loaf, and it is ior tiie public to decide whether they will follow the example of the Americans, and support the trusts, or patronise their own business on principle, and be assured of a cheap loat, or go back to the old order of things for a (icar loaf. Every buyer of a cheap loaf now is registering his or her casting vote against that public institution known as the Co-operative Society, which lias returned its own customers nearly £71)0 in the shape of a half-penny dividend on every loaf bought during the past 12 months. The only barrier between a cheap and a dear loaf is the Wanganui Co-operative Society. It is for the public to decide in no uncertain voice which they want. As far as the rights of the dispute between Mr Dustin and myself are concerned, there is no satisfaction in it, and nothing to be gained. I have, therefore, no wish for its further continuance.—l am, etc., K. R. MACDONALD, Secretary, Wanganui Co-operative Society, Ltd.