MR NASH AND PRICES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 112, 24 February 1950, Page 2

MR NASH AND PRICES

MR BOWDEN’S REPLY

“SCANT REGARD TO THE RELEVANT FACTS” (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 24. Statements made by the former Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash) in an interview on increases in the prices of eggs and children’s footwear ivere replied to to-day by the Minister of Industries and . Commerce (Mr C. M. Bowden). He said Mr Nash must have been well aware that egg prices had always risen in February and that leather prices were the direct and inevitable result of price increases authorised by the Labour Government last October. “No doubt, defeat has been a bitter pill for Mr Nash, but it is nevertheless surprising to see him paying such scant regard to the relevant facts, of which he should be fully aware,” said - Mr Bowden. “If his statement cabled to the ‘Daily Herald,’ London, and since published in New Zealand had told the full story he would not have laid himself open to a charge of misrepresenting the position in New Zealand in an effort to influence the British elections.” The rise authorised in the price of eggs took the place of the former system of building up to a maximum price in stages over a longer pefiidd, said Mr Bowden. As an example, under the Labour Government the price of eggs in the North Island rose by Is a dozen between November 7,1948, and April 11,1949, while South Island prices advanced by almost the . same amount. Lower Maximum This Year This year the maximum summer price had been adhered to for a longer period, but had the system not been changed there would have been an in- v crease of 9d a dozen) in February alone, together with subsequent increases up to the maximum winter price for standard grades of 4s lid a dozen in the North Island and 3s lOd a dozen in the South Island, which was lid and 2d a dozen more than the maximum prices to be charged under the new system. .

“Although the overall return to producers will not be increased, it is confidently expected that the new method will promote a more even supply of eggs to the consumers and will also give them the benefit of a minimum price which will remain unaltered throughout the spring and summer months, whereas before' the present summer the minimum price prevailed for only about 10 weeks from August 23 until early in November,” said Mr Bowden.

Mr Nash’s reference to the increased price of children’s footwear had been equally misleading. The increases that had come into effect had been -brought about by increased prices payable for hides as from October 1, 1949, under the Hides Prices Notice, 1949, issued by the previous Government. Obviously the price of hides when converted into leather had also to increase, and such increases were, in fact, authorised by the Price Tribunal last November, while the Labour Government was still in office. In due course, after a time-lag in manufacturing processes, this had to be translated into an increase in the price which the public must pay for the end-product. Steps Taken by Own Government

“In view of all the circumstances Mr* Nash should surely be the last person to complain about this, added Mr Bowden, “since the steps which set the process in motion were taken .by his own Government. The public must eventually be the judges of how the new Government discharges its responsibilities. In the meantime, the spectacle of a former Minister trying to work tip _ spurious agitation is not very edifying. The public may deem it rather curious that Mr Nash’s statement was cabled to London, published in the ‘Daily Herald.’ and cabled; back to New Zealand before it made its appearance m the columns of the Labour Party s own newspaper. Perhaps Mr Nash tmght ' have preferred that it had not been cabled back to New Zealand, where its misleading character could be so readily exposed.”

LOOKING BACK

FIFTY YEARS SYNE (From the “Guardian,”. Feb. 24, 1900). A Clever Family—The family of Ashburton’s former postmaster, Mr Douglas, seem rapidly to be coming to the front at Hokitika. The scholastic success of some of his sons was recently announced, and by files to hand this morning it is-noticed that at the Trinity College musical examinations, Miss Douglas secured intermediate honours with 80 per cent, of marks, and intermediate pass with 92 per cent. —an excellent record. Stock Exchange: Mr S. H. Graves, late Of Ashburton, is endeavouring to form a Stock Exchange in Christchurch, and the movement promises to be successful. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO (From the “Gdardian,” Feb. 24, 1925). Golf Club—Last evening’s annual meeting of the Ashburton Golf Club was a record in attendance and enthusiasm. Twenty new members were elected, a state of affairs previously unheard of at the start of the season. In spite of resignations the membership stands at 140.—Shags’ Heads: At present the acclimatisation societies of Ashburton, South Canterbury, Waimate, and North Otago are paying different prices for shags’ heads and eggs, and the suggestion by the Waimate Society that a conference be : tween tlie four bodies should be held to arrive at a uniform price has met with the approval of the local society, which has appointed a delegate to attend the conference.