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Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1920, Page 2

Tub result of the Magistrate’s judgment oil the profiteering charges a„ Christchurch will he viewed probably as soundly correct, but it is doubtful if the reasoning given in. the telegraphic summary of the cases s ns satisfactory. There were two postulates laid down which are open to some comment. The first was: “In regard to the custom of selling at replacement value, which was general and uniform, and considered a sound and honourable business practice, his Worship found it was a reasonable practice.” Tlie second was: “What was bought by a trader as a job line should be retailed as such.” In the first instance as set out tlie advantage is greatly to the trader. He may buy well and a rise takes place, and he loads his retail price accordingly. Bu r . when a fall takes place, in most coinmodities the consumer does not get the advantage. The trader keeps up loaded price as long as he can, and reduces only when forced to by competition and the ordinary operation of supply and demand. It appears to be drong in strict principle to place ’a sale prilee at replacement valid' on goods bought to advantage in a low market. An excess profit is obtained, and later when replaced the old rate of profit is maintained on tlie goods. There is not an average, as there might be, but an enhanced price all the time. In the second case the trader though meaning well might be taken nt the disadvantage. In purchasing a oh line he might do so to even up his ‘’ormer stock price, and yet under Magistrate’s dictum ho may not soft at an equal price to his other stock. Also what is to lie*said about the replacement cost of the goods to take the place of the job line? Presumably a distinction where there is no difference is to be made. The intricacies of trade and commerce are going to make it difficult to prove profiteering and the Magistrate who appears to cloud his judgment with his “reasons”, makes the position more complex still.

It was impossible to read the proceedings of the late meeting of the Chari t. able Aid Board without tlie feeling that there is a dangerous tendency towards extravagance likel-v to be practiced in equipping the various institutions. The visiting inspectors, who appear to grow more numerous as the days go by, apparently have some idea of justifying their existence. Every visit necessitates a report, and to justify the visit the report must contain recuaimmuhi- ( tions—these invariably involve expend i- ! ture. The Inspector of Hospitals has made a very satisfactory report regard. | ing the local institution, and the Sur- ' geon-Superintendent, Matron, Commit- * tee and all associated with tlie manage.

* iucm, ? arc iu oe foiiiiiieiiaea according ly. But many details are referred to and any®ing considered old I'ashionec it is suggested should be replaced. This would be all very well were it a mattci of instruments or equipment, but wliei wo find an instrument cabinet taken exception to because it is old in type and should be replaced by a piece of modern furniture, it is time to protest. The cost of hospital maintenance is now far beyond the ordinary resources of the district. Indeed the extraordinary lias been reached, and the local bodies have to increase their rating to meet the charges. Tho Board, it appears to ns, should lay it down as a principle, j that these “extras” should not be included in a year’s operations unless they are provided for in the annual estimates in which the levy was based. Otherwise there will be another deficit at the end 0 f the year for tho local bod_ ies to take up. If this reckless and unbusiness like method is adopted it will form good ground for a Royal Commis- , sion to bring to book once and for all the reckless line of extravagance some members are prone to indulge in without counting the cost. The additions to the Upper House do not call for special mention, except it be the return to parliamentary precincts of the Hon E. Mitclielson who was a former member of the Conservative Min istry in “the bad old clays,” and the Hon Mark {?ohen, “the doyen of the New Zealand press,” who also is familiar with the precincts of the parliamentary buildings over a long term of 1 years. Mr Mark Cohen has had the ear of many a Minister in the past, and his political sails have been trimmed accordingly. For the rest the additions to the Upper House are of quite ordinary calibre. Hon Colonel Smith has been there before, and ex-members of the Lower House who stood down for their party’s good are being rewarded with seats among the mighty.*As the Government was in the appointment humor probably for the last time under the existing law, it is a serious oversight that no Labor appointees are made. By 1922 the Upper House is to he made elective under a system to he settled tin's session or next, and no doubt then Labour will find an entry by the front door. The Government lias played fast and loose with its Legislative Council Act of 191-1 under which the Upper House was to be made elective, and has taken wider liberties in making appointments when the law (conveniently postponed for the occasion) provided for elections by a proportional system of voting. It was a case where the Government rather flagrantly abused its power. Having taken to itself s<> much liberty of action it would have been more cquitable now to include Labor representatives in tile Upper House, where there j W room certainly for the inclusion of such. In this respect Labour will require now to await its opportunity at the 1922 polls. *