THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO With which is incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle." Helensville, Thursday, Aug. 19, 1915 THE COST OF LIVING

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, Volume LXI, 19 August 1915, Page 2

THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO With which is incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle." Helensville, Thursday, Aug. 19, 1915 THE COST OF LIVING

In late issue, the "Maoriland Worker" (which is apparently the only journal in New Zealand definitely claiming to speak wholly and solely on behalf of Labour) makes savage attack upon the Government for its alleged neglect to protect the public against '' exploitation ' J at the hands of certain, so-called " Food Pirates." In its report of a meeting addressed under the auspices of the Social Democratic Party by Mr Eobt. Semple (of Federation notoriety) the "Worker" credits that gentleman with saying that uthe true blue pro-Germans'' are the " local Pirates" who "exploit" the pubJic by putting up the price of foodstuffs. It is fairly evident from the "Worker's " report that a great deal of very misleading argu ment, founded upon half-truths (which " are ever the greatest of lies ") was adduced by Mr Semple at his Wellington meeting, in support of his contention that the Prime Minister and the lieform Government were backing the alleged 'exploiters.' Under ordinary circumstances it would scarcely be necessary to tade Mr feemple's statements seriously. But there is so much misapprehension on the part of the public in regard to the increased cost of living that it is advisable to review the position. When war broke out last year, the Prime Minister, realising that additional demands were likely to be made upon food supplies, took immediate steps to ascertain just what stocks of foodstuffs were available in the Dominion. As a result of the wheat census, i was made apparent thai the wheat harvest, which had diminished during the last three years, would result in an actual shortage, so far as the requirements of the Dominion were concerned. Importation was thus seen to be essential, and Mr Massey arranged for the purchase in New South Wales of sufficient wheat (250,000 bushels) to tide the country over the difficulty. But the Commonwealth Government intervened and blocked the execution of the order, the drought in Australia giving rise to the fear that there would not be sufficient for local requirements. Foiled in this direction Mr Massey placed orders in Canada, and, pending their execution, borrowed from New. South Wales enough to help the country over the worst of the pinch. That was in November last, and, with an eye to the future, Mr Massey secured options over a million bushels of Canadian wheat to be harvested this year. And that option is still held, "and can be used, if necessary. The duties on both flour and wheat were also suspended, the situation being thus eased still further.