THE COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3181, 4 September 1917, Page 8

THE COST OF LIVING

Sir,—The above question now bulks so largely on the horizon of every family man , "That its very mention Speaks of strange ineptitude , And claims attention." While we have ,to thank the Board of Trade for negotiating a reasonable agreement with jfche Colonial Sugar Refining Company, this is apparently the only exception to/the wholesale, exploitation of the publiq. ,' ""Why inHho name of democracy do the Government stand by and. watch cheeso and butter rotting in the stores while if prices were reduced double the quantity would be consumed locally? Why also do not tho Board of Trade insist m full weight being given, instead of short weight, with 20 per cent, of moisture as n T^en, "coming to meat: Why is it that the ■ Wellington public have to the highest prices in W Zealand and at the same time put up with the rejects of the freezing companies? In this connection X understand that Auckland City has obtained'relief by getting not only a reduction in price at the State shops but. supplies from the Imperial stores of first, quality. Apparently Auckland people are sufficiently alive to insist on a "square deal," but anything can be "worked" ° n tl,e Wellington public. Next comes the bread' question, and I think most of your readers will asree Trith mo that the ways of the bread suppliers are. to say the least, "peculiar." Mont three months aso I compared bread prices in Wellington with Iwo other towns in the North Island, and found that Wellington prices were 20 per cent, higher. Willi wheat in Australia obtainable ' for, say, 3s. linslml, bread here should not exceed fid. the 41b. loaf, and again I nsk, In the name of democracy, what is to be done to arrive at something anproaehing justice? ■ Dozens of other iiems could be cited of ■mods being sold at hitqp profits, details of which T am prepared to sive to the Ronrd of Trade, or the nmnicin.il authorities. if tlioy will only fake nrompt action in the interests of the public.—l am, etc., JUSTICE FOR ALL.