CO-OPERATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 314, 6 November 1880, Page 2

CO-OPERATION.

Sir,-—The agitation that his taken place for the purpose of forming Co-operative Associations in our midst, in the interest of the farmers, forces the question on one " Has not the time arrived for the working class of South Canterbury to bestir themselves in that direction also V That there is a combination between the butchers to maintain the exorbitant prices now ruling for bread and meat, there cannot be a doubt, and it behoves those suffering under bucli combination to protect themselves by starting some such institution. Why there should be such differences in the prices ruling here and the largertowns is a mystery to me as well as many others. Labor is no dearer, and shop rent much cheaper, yet in the face of this fact, our butchers charge a penuy to twopence per lb. more (all round) for their meat, and' a penny, if not more, ou the four pound loaf. Surely, when it pays our butchers to send their meat and bread by rail to Timaru, and sell it at a reduced price, they could afford to sell cheaper here than they do, and leave a fair margin for profit. I think, Sir, the time has now arrived for the residents to take the matter up and make an effort to break down this monopoly. To show the disparity between the prices ruling here and Dunedin I will quote the cash prices for meat in the latter place. Sides of mutton, per lb, 2d ; legs and loins do, 3d ; boiling beef, 2d ; ribs (roasing beef), 3d and 4d ; surloin roast, 5d ; rump steak, 6d ; chops. 4d ; pork, 6d. The adage—" VY hen a man Is down keep him down''—is truly exemplified by our butchers and bakers, who apparently have us under their thumbs, and intend to keep us there. As I intend returning to the subject again, I will not now trespass further on your space.—l am, &c, WORKING MAN. Winchester, Nov. 4, 1880.