OPEN COLUMN.

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1571, 8 July 1885, Page 3

OPEN COLUMN.

Our column* are open ie the ducjixaion o, all matter* of public mtere*t x but w< are in no wag identified with the tiewt efour correspondents. HONESTY IS THE BEST OP POLICY. (To thk Editor I_anoah.a Timis.) Sic— l read in the columns of "your valuable paper of the 24th ult. a short letter by •• Pair Play," wherein pertinent reference is made to the adulteration of mHk, and I quite concnr with the suggestion therein made, that if the price milk is sold for is not payable, better to charge what will pay and supply the pure article. I also think tha* Fair Play's conclusions as to the percentage of water used in the adultering process is as near correct aa possible without the aid of scienti6c appl. ances to warrant accurate results. In Melbourne, Auckland, and other towns, heavy tines are of daily occurrence against vendors for the adulteration of milk, and other necessaries of life. Now, sir, is it because wo are a peaceable and a go-as* you-please people in Reefton that we should pay for what we don't get 1 noticetin a subsequent issue that Mr Anderson, on his own behalf, protests against the watering impeachment, but would be ready to admit that others nijght have recourse tv the watering process. But whatever doubts may exist as to the actual proport. ma of admixture- practiced iii the adulteration of fom_ or drink, then can be no doubt whatever existing ar to the correct weight or measure of all or any article supplied by vendor to vendee, for it is absolutely within the province and power of all to testify to the correctness of weights and measures. Hence it it within the power of every bread consumer in the district to certify to the fact that we are paying for a 41b loaf while we receive only 3|lbs, and often less. Now, where there is a large consumption of the staff of life (principally in large families) the percentage will amount to a considerable sum paid annually for no value whatever. Therefore tbe short-weight dealers would do well to take the same advice tendered to the nwlkspoilerMhai if bread or other necessaries of iife is not-payable at the present price. charge me^eybut deal 'square and supply fun Weight, , X may remark that flour and all other goods (also freight) are cheaper now than they have been for years. In Hokitika, Westport, and other placet bread is only sixpence per 41b loaf. I am etc., Justice.