The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN THURSDAY. MARCH 18, 1915 THE COST OF FOODSTUFFS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 March 1915, Page 2

The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN THURSDAY. MARCH 18, 1915 THE COST OF FOODSTUFFS.

Levin Borough Council desoivivi com mendation for its endorsement of the protest made by the Runangn Borough Council against the way in wh'-'h foodstuffs are being exploited by New Zealand merchants who trade in these commodities. I'or months past the staff of life has been at a false price, consequent upon the exorbitant cost of flour. That the present charge for wheat is from 7s to 7s 6d per bushel is not suflicient excuse to offer; the cereal was unduly inflated in price before the market nece.ssit.ated the rises. There was an evident resolve amongst all producers to profit, by the abnormal conditions experienced a low weeks after the war began; and this resolve was abetted, willingly or unwillingly, by the failure of the New Zealand Government to stand to its decision to keep the minimum price at 5s 6d. in accordance with the Order-in-Council gazetted when the upward tendency of the market passed the legitimate standard. Even now the Government could remedy tin* state of affairs by a statesmanlike decision; it should take as its guide the latest sales of wheat on the London market, deduct therefrom all expenses of transit, insurance, and so forth, and on the resulting calculation fix file maximum amount at which New Zealand wheat shall be sold to our own people. Failing this, there is a likelihood that the people of those islands will have to pay as high as 10s per bushel for wheat, with flour and bread correspondingly higher before another three months shall have elapsed. Oats and barley should bo dealt with in a similar manner, and care should be taken that the undoubted shortage of oats Experienced in Australia this year shall not hp perniittted to cause an inflation in Now Zealand where a bountiful harvest of oats has been gathered in. That a great deal of this has been exported to Australia before any prohibition of export was made by the Governmentis regrettable, but the action of the Administration this week, in placing an estoppel on anv further shipmentabroad will find general Savour. One instance in proof of the need for this action is afforded by a. New Zealand merchant's experience recorded in our local and general columns to-day. The present mood of the Now Zealand Cabinet is commendable, and if it recognises the truth that there are several other commodities apart from cereals

that require supervision in respect of supply and selling prices, mich as butter, "meat, eggs. and so forth, it will prove itself alive to a branch of its public duty that has been raised from a minor to a major one through the extraordinary conditions that prevail in the world's financial and social circles in consequence of the