Cheap Coal.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7919, 27 September 1904, Page 6

Cheap Coal.

(T« the Editpr) a

Sir,—l see Mr McMurray is again to the fore with his cheap advertisement re cheap coal. He says if the Borough i Council or the Government were to open up a coal depot here it would have a tendency to put the trade on more of a cash basis. Well, I think to bring it to a cash basis would be to sell his coal at the smallest profit possible, because coal is a commodity that every person would use if it was within their reach and made cash. Mr McMurray is very weak in his argument. He says he is selling coalat a cheaper rate than the Council CDuld sell the State coal at, That is absolute bosh. He also says that since the State- coal mine was started one coal company has had to close down because the State coal is dearer than that sold by the company that closed down. What does he mean ? Because the company that has closed was placing its coal cheaper on the market than the Government, that does not make his I argument logical. Surely Mr McMurray is thinking of changing positions with the amiable old gentleman who is obtaining profits from a lollie business. He is inclined to be sweet, anyway. No doubt he is thinking if the Council or the Government opens "up a' coal depot . tbat there will be more in the lollie business than selling black diamonds. Mr McMurray says that h« thinks that it is wiser not to advertise the price, of coal because people would haye the impression that it was rubbish. Would Mr McMurray's argument stand good with other business men in the town. As you go along the street at every shop you will see the prices on goods. It seems to me that Mr McMurray is afraid of the other coal. merchants to state his price. If he is anxious to know who "Progress " is he will be surprised to hear that "Progress" is only a working man depending on his weekly income, not from lollies. Mr McMurray says the shoe does not pinch him. Well, being a consumer aloDg with the rest of the public I know what pinches the pockets of the consumers. I don't think it is a heinous sin to be a shareholder, because the Government having started the State coal mine it makes' me a shareholder, which I advocate. I think, Mr McMurray, you will be wise not to open up on " Socialistic tommy rot."—l am, etc.,

PROGRESS,