And again, let us see how the poor are being exploited by the policy of those in high authority. At the outbreak of war the market price of tea was 7-1/2_d._ per lb. As soon as exportation was allowed, the price was raised to the buyer at home to 9_d._ Then when exports were restricted, it fell to 8-1/4_d._ But as soon as the restrictions on exports were removed altogether, the price rose until, to-day, the very commonest leaf-tea fetches 10_d._ a lb.--a price never equalled, save in the memories of octogenarians. Who is to blame for this fattening of our enemies at the expense of the poor? Let the reader put this question seriously to himself. Generally speaking, of course, prices of all articles are regulated by the ordinary laws of supply and demand; if the supply falls or the demand increases, prices go up. But there is another factor which sometimes comes into play which is very much in evidence at the present moment--the existence of "rings" of unscrupulous financiers who, with ample resources in cash and organisation, see in every national crisis a heaven-sent opportunity of increasing their gains at the expense of the suffering millions of the poor. It is quite evident, to my mind, that something of the kind is going on to-day, as it has gone on in every great war in history. The magnates of Mark Lane and the bulls of the Chicago wheat pit care nothing for the miseries of the unknown and unheeded millions whose daily bread may be shortened by their financial jugglings. They are out to make money. It may be true, as Mr. Asquith said, that we cannot control the price of wheat in America. But, at least, it cannot be said that the price of bread to-day is due to shortage of supply. During the last six months of 1914, as compared with the last six months of 1913, there was actually a rise of 112,250 tons in the quantities of wheat, flour, and other grain equivalent imported into this country. Where, then, can be the shortage, and what explanation is there of the prevailing high prices except the fact that large quantities of food are being deliberately held off the market in order that _the price may be artificially enhanced_? This is not the work of the small men, but of the big firms who can buy largely enough, probably in combination, to control and dominate the market.