CHEAPER FOOD.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1926, Page 3

CHEAPER FOOD.

AGG KFSSTYL IfOFSKW IVES. SYDNEY. April 7. When the Housewives’ Association came into being in Sydney and was added to tho many organisations in this city, there was an inclination to regard it lightly land as just another little fad for women who found time hanging heavily on their hands. But it has proved a very aggressive body, and in common with all militant organisations, has come in for no little criticism A. few years ago it boycotted potatoes, with staggering results. Prices fell rapidly. They fell so low that it was contended by growers that it did not pay to dig potatoes. There were growers, it is said, who had to let their potatoes rot in tho ground. Now the association is making an assault upon eggs At what was called a “hints afternoon'’ a few days ago there was a suggestion that eggs should he boycotted until tho price becomes normal These housewives object to paying p shade ovr 2pi fur an e<£g, nml for small eggs at that very often

Rut that there is another side to tho picture lias been revealed l»v a country woman in a letter to tile Press. She pictures the struggling returned soldiers, for instance, who are in the poultry industry, and the trials of Hie wives and daughters of ofhei small poultry farmers, and says that anyone with a knowledge of poultry raising—this is a sly little tilt, of course, at the Housewives’ Association —knows the reason for the high prices of eggs at Easter. 'Phis, however, while it might logically he applied to Easter, will not appeal to the emotiona side of the members of the Housewives’ Association, for eggs were dear long before Easter, and are still clear. Even assuming, as is contended by the country woman who follows very closely evidently the plans of the Housewives’ Association, that the poultry farmers are struggling and are not getting decent prices for their products, the obvious fact is that a big price is being paid for eggs. Anyway, tlie Housewives’ Association refuses to have any dealings with thiscommodity until they fall in price. It remains to he seen whethoi the no.c rott will he as effective as it was ill the ease of potatoes.