COST OF LIVING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1467, 15 June 1912, Page 6

COST OF LIVING.

WAQBS AND PRICES.

MORE ABOUT TRADE METHODS. EVIDENCE AT CHRISTCHUECH. By T«loer»n)i.—Presi 4mocIall«B.) Christchurch, June 11. When the Cost of Living Commission resumed this morning, Mr. John Wilson, secretary of tho Bakers' Union, elated that (luring (lie past eleven yoars there had been only one increase in wages—a rise of ss. No man could do more than exist on a wage of Jas. or 50=. per week. Tho Master Bakers' Association did not control prices. '

Mr. Rowland E. Coivper stated that for twelve years lie had been employed as a general labourer in tho pelt industry. In 1000, 45 men wero employed svt 9(1. per hour. Their output was 600 pelts per hour, the power employed being steam and hand. In 1911, electric power was installed, and 31 men were employed at Is. s!d. per hour (piecework), the Arbitration Court wage being Is. Ojd. per hour. The output iucreased by JO per cent., and the wages only increased ITS per cent. The secretary of the union, on data provided by fifty members for four months, found that tho average wage was 325. Gd. per week. This waa not a living wage. Tho condition of the general labourer in New Zealand was a disgrace to the Dominion. There ought ■to bo a national , minimum weekly wage. The right to work'was also required.

A Grocer's Statement. Mr. Cuthbert Bowyer, farmer, stated that for twenty years ho wns connected with tho grocery and drapery trades. He had found that ho wa3 not able to buy certain lines unless he paid the prices demanded. He was, however, able to purchaso direct from Homo, lie knew of the existence of the Merchants' Association, and of the Eetail Grocers* Association. Twelve years and a half ago, when he started business in Christchurch, he gave an order to Messrs. Chrystall and Co., who a fortnight after expressed astonishment that he was selling sugar at. the same price that was charged by tho big retailers who could afford to buy five-ton lots. He had replied by asking what it mattered so long as he paid for the article. Messrs. Chrystall and Co. advised him to see Mr. Hall, of Messrs. John Hall and Co., with whom it was likely witness might be able to arrive at an arrangement whereumler witness might continue. Witness did not see Mr. Hall, but got his goods where he could. About exhibition time Mr. Green, of Messrs. T. IT. Green and Co,, told him that a Eetail Grocers' Association was being formed,'and it was desired that all retail grocers should .join it. Witness

said that he did not cane much about joining it. Mr. Groen said: "Well, I adviso you to join it." As it meant that lie would have been boycotted it' lio liacl not dono so, ho joined, and continued a member till , 1909. Witness ■ believed in selling an article at tho lowest possible price consistent with a living, leaving coupons out. Hβ was asked to give coupons, but did not, and as a result his business suffered. When lie withdrew from . tho Retailers' Association, ho was interviewed by tho late Mr. and by Mr. Green, who saw his price board outside his shop, and asked him to withdraw it, and reconsider his resignation from tho association. They told liiin if he did not do so his goods would be 6top'•(l right throughout New: Zealand, lib did not comply with their requests at tho time. Hβ was told on good authority that the Sugar Refining Company was written to, and asked to stop supplying him, but his experience of the company was that the company was prepared to do business with all who were prepared to do business wjth them. Messrs. Aulscbiook and Co. and the Atlas Confectionery Company stopped his supply of biscuits and lollies. The manager of the Atlas Company told him that pressure had been brought to boar on them, and they could not supply him. Pressure was next brought to bear on Mr. Chidgey, from whom he got confectionery. For a whilo witness did with Messrs. Hudson .and Co., of Dimcdin, but ultimately that firm wrote him that pressure had been" brought to bear on them, and thoy could not supply his orders. _ Tho Flourmillers" Association advised him to send cash with his orders, as they were not disposed to stop his supplies. This state of things went on for some time. He was interviewed on two or three occasions by a representative of tho "Press," and witness expected that the newspaper would tako the matter up, but tho interviews were not published, because he supposed pressure was brought to bear by (ho largo retail grocers. He understood that the reporter interviewed tho large retail grocew, who told him that at that time there was no association formed to adjust prices. Tho end of it was that ttie largo _ retail grocers decided to alter their prices on sugar and on other lines. One of Messrs. Payling and Co.'s employees told witnes3 that his firm was asked to charge witness a= stiff as possible. Regarding coupon,, snid that they represented a div count of '.!* per relit., but tli* grocer gut them from 10 to li p*r i*'<it. prolit. the cost of liviiiK was iiicrt-h'-vil by dm coniiou -ystvm, :i« mi •■xtru I'liar-jO-- wai put on I hi: kw' , ''* l » ™ v '" r ""' ./j"" ,, ""?; Willie alleged (li.it eiwers Willi small capital were financed liy Hie iiiiTcliaiils, and tlin last-mentioned naturally desired to nroti'i't tIK-in. ' Tii Ilir- cliairmnn: "I'll" rntnil<r.= fot nul.r s portion of (he duly remove! nfl" jrn-er-i«. ,l?«-kilt's bhio. prinr '•■ rhe rluty b-las red«cpd, ™< 55'!- rw IK and 2JtL vaa taica oil Uio duty, but id-

tailors did not get it for Gjd.,. but for 7!d. . ■ Galvanised H.oM'owwar.e. Mr. Gcorgo L. Ciili-, maijaging , partner, of Messrs. Croinpl'oa iind C'e,., stated that : it had been alleged,,befbfe tlio. Cpmmis, sion that the prices of .g.nlvamsed , . lmllpw- ; waro had IxM'ii raisetl , (o ail c'xei-ljit'aiit rate, to 25 per cent. He- that statement. There- -lind : bten an iiibrejijein thirty lines previously on tiip iiiiiii'ait at prices tliat meant a.ii ; .abSolu.ic loss, 'but: the increase was about ..-20, 'per .cei.it I'hi.s profit the inanufactu.rers cpivsidp.r.eil tiiey were entitled to. Other- JiiK-s .had- ■ ed stationary, and soiii.b- pixlin.Sry house-: hold linos were being sold fit Itfss tliiin ' previously, despite, 'jtlici iric.rcase of wiißfS diiriiis Hie past yoar aiivpuntijlK to- :lT!i-1 per cent., and the iiic.teaje of '1.0 pep cent.. ■ on materials. Ins.Coa}i of Ijoifisf iri thsr; portion of extcmlinSf 'their- ■p.laiit—i.f, as was alleged, the trade wks:- in a 'tnsy *.n----(litimi-lns firm liatC.fh.ortoiieil. lia'Wls, «*»dreduced tho number , o:'f: lipstrs Kpr.ked per week from 47 to ft.. T.iio. ini.pprtjtio.ns . I worn blnmed for this state of .iift'airs.. 'I-iie : local manufacturer's- p'a.i*.! men iris.- Bd = ]>er day for the some: 'claSs- ~pf work frlvst't' was do'ne in Bnglaiid by girls, for a. co.uplo. of diUlings per dn>., ' '.Mosi; .of th.e: jirir ported goods wcro.slipd'd'y.,. weißlii.ng Wpr thirds less than tlicv 'JS T # .?«'a.l-?'.ntl goods.. There wero four fir his... mstinff palvaiiised hollowwaro in New jgcafend.. Tljfy.M'l: accumulated such large Stocks that they ■i-oro selling below cost JO& firms decide:! to drop the..-ph'ilaritlirpp!c, .portion, of their business',; , ■but: ■ the.. ■.Manufacturers' AssociaH6n:'was : .not ftt any shape or form a. trust... £h<% rules or penalties;. ;aiijl ; .his , ~.fi'r.rn. was. "in tlie portion, if they.liked, to Igiye their goods away. To Mr. Fairbalnvi-Be'iconldsiptft.ansffffr off-hand what the'l'rtcreasq'in. prices tbr. presented. He heard: , ifc stated, tnafc the New Zealand article- Aras:--pTbtec.t.e.d : 15'0-jJe.p cent, and it seenietl' thiitP. tliey: Tequired. moro protection. Tlie;'Manxiia'.(:.tiir<?r.s' Association fixed tlm 'selling,, and: ■ the increase was round lli.c hardware merchantg-.)i'a|! ahvaya hM a profit on hantllinf'.liQUpwavaje, Have you refHsM;tp:Sup'pi.v- : pc«p.ie.'witli your hollow-ware \tn!efs : \-t-hey-agT€O<l. t.o your selling conditions lnii.st admit that I have." ■'; '' .' .'.. ........ .

Continuing, ho ■'sald ;: .thajj |be. increased, cost must be hand.i?.clh% Wihfr imblfe but he affirmed t;hi>t;. ; i!!cre...was i '■■pq- cpsnbinalion. He .a\ p'QSitiqn. td^upijly , his goods to anyo.pe./bu.t "it wpul'd riot pay to'supply on order:ipr.iSo;; . Would you supply W-.ceyfjain .firm with, hollow-wave and : : $yV .'fliejsv a-, .free-.hsvnrt to soil it at any .price';tlieyv.;l,i.kcd)?—":,NO'i because that woiild/Kiiifl , !; ;tU:e\trade' bnck to the fame positio'ri,,as.:before:"

Yet you affirm : J JtKat-~A.lief<j 'is rip e.uch thing as restriction' Sale., of: lio] , - lo\v-\vnrc?—"lt sec'ijis- |to')np ; that ,s6ine.. jjf the questions nro , "tibi;7tjbXthc.: pbiift >V;He!i it conies to a pcrsiiial,,nuUte'i: ..ibetivcen Jfesis. FairbainiV:vAV'rjg)i!?.. , iiii(l.' 'C0,.-«'n<l-Croniptons "'-i■■■-■■'■ ■■■■'■!■.,'.'..• ■■

There i> no or:cit.si.niiV'.tp fiitrtyliico. those , , names, but )iiivii'i?: (Im.'P. ffeclj;'!. Jyo.ii , >io : t send , to the Kniitiiioiijipiieff^/our-stllin" , conditions showiiipt.'.vt.lie'.aV.eragi'.' iii.cvea^e

of 20 per cen£{^"ih.-\nl! : yiipl-<jeny jfc a firm had offered of':'.;Ks-;.' , 'fiTm'<9mods on a ba%;:;of .qept ; -profit,' but tho offer ws/.-nob His , farm was. not .fofcceS-.into their po.sitioii"

Other , " ■'■:,' Mr. Henry Oiiklejf■sjbatodVfhaitife risein wages in tiip:-:tm":;an^lJ-libi!ciivHware';;in-(lustry would ..siip't-liji'iiva ?btbn: 'feffoctcUvif tho liketho workers. not aflpot tion of the assß;datioii y ,;pf:'.;nyaiVuta.eturer3: was duo to the other merchants, that they coulil. irom other 'I'lie manufacturers, ■■werp'; -xqnsefiupnHy being exploited.^; , ,th«;»merehSntf Vnd the money. An article- -vrli'seh.,cpi!!d"-.be'-''pro" (luccd in , Erifflgrid: for '2id; or" dozen would ..cost..; !>s:.: /in., 'jin. p.ur-. :in- ftpw Zealand. It /might- (bp/ ";n.n: ;'li'iinch. bucket, ime- timp.JofIs., could not-npff,bevsbld. ; .iindbrils; : :3d>"-' Mr. W. H. Bagger,-.-:officer. ■ ! jn , - ch'.arge-:pf tlio Labour Bureau,.fihristcbnrpKy'stated' that ho had;.ndt; flona ".-much."''inspection , under the , -- tion Act, but.-'th'p'accpmmb'ilAtibii. he 'had; inspected \va.s;.;ircrif, : bii(L 'THe' : coiiiiijtbns, under which t]|i?.'%!'.PMfi.pn.. , J)iiis.--}roii(S."we're exceptional, phl^.- ; c!tse.s , .reppr.retl..-liieiiig. investigated, anA'it ."njaj..qii':tp possii.blP* (ii.if. tht' accommodation-, oli, niaiiy fiitnij- SViis 'exceedingly (ropVl .■■:.:Thi> .conipiijiht's.- were, generally as to .insiifiicient .air spiiceL The. worst accomjii.b.ilatib.h ivas: o;i threshing outfit?. ' ■

Mr. J. S. Mypj?, Imnr-kpt gaede'ner, j>n<! Mr. M. A. D'oy.idnnt;j fis.hiii.bnKer.,..i'avo.c'v.idenco regarding' .H l *? ■ disparity fietwceii wholesale and' retail pn'ces.

Mr. It. C. :B.is.li.pp,. seoretar-J cf .tho Christcluirch : Wa)s.' Gonyianyij .-stated, th'a.t during thn pas.t. ten' years the- ;pi ; ioe '-.pf;' lighting gas h.a'jl -.fe-n xcdiiccyl. by' 1(1 \fiv cent., from Cs, :'3d : . : tti. as., iid;," i-.ml of. power gas from' fis.'. ( : b.. 4s, 'The , . J.mtpu't' Sf. gas last year- was. .IjOfi nViliiott fp.oj, «ii.d the dividend, ipaid by -the , cd.inpan'y sYai 10 per cent.

Mr. J, A. Faiiniti, ciiairrhat o'f tie Farmers' anil farmer, gave: evi.acnce.ta the p'ifest that the increased price:.-.of. land .rtnjl' Jslxiur had not iucreaSd ijie price q.i lurui. p's oduct=.

Mr. ¥.. 'i\"\)\ M'iiiniiin , , Iffiftiiihg *ntvt'vor, gave tvifleiitf; x't ifittfra. I'liu tuniiniMiiVii ilMci :ii|j6m-.r(rt'|. Tobacco, Grdc'e.ries, etc , . The folhuvirrg: is sniiff-d.f H'ifc fcvi.ilcniji piviMi ;il. jJKL'vjijii-i sHljiiffs iii Chni'telmrch in additiosi to tiirf a.lj.-.eady lishcel:Mγ. llov.icr A- U,nrlo.«-. tnbiirr;mi.Nt morrlinnt. .=<Srt«tl (]Ui t\\fi ;ifcroi)liil uiftv nf I!?. O'l. por 1:1>. np^lvlSiiv) , ■lit.lfii.irly , ill.' M-fppi-,1 lo^er-.rr.i'fH , i'nW,';i*K- .\ lii-ifi■ wlo boiwht ciiiare 'at 30. w.ch :ij.aid. iu

duty f.rhiii 20.0 to SSQ- per cent, pn cojSi whilst ihp jiUrcfmstj) of a gixiiejiny Cigar' only i.'fiiii ft' nm - ! ' :| t0 •* i , *'' In ■ oilier words, .flifl-.pnOl , imuj .J >oiil- fq.lir- Wince fe iiiu.eli il) !.1"t;y -As c.oiiipiifed .with, cithers, T1.i.0 liih'presieo tt-ftij not so. great iii tobacco, feii) the iinvtt- w-ltu binJkU-t * -clieS]) P!,po piiid more iii. duly proportionately than llio -iiliMi wliiv i)6.U!ilii: 51 inure- espensivp (iiie. lln advocated Hia.t tlm duty oh tobacco ftiiil toliaecoiiisU' -cpqsH should. Wj art raloreiii;. THp (griff -Mi present Ji:itl-.. tli.ts ehect '-of rha.ki.iJS people sliioke rubbish. Mr. If. R. Jxfe gwioi'iVt grocer., stated that lie had bcpn j:n business for Tour wars -iiiitt"a. .half. TJLn:i* was not a free ivifd open fniivket in nit .lines (if fjrdce.vjfe ■ Sijne .J-iiics jvere tn/iflefl. or. SchJeiJ. ihexe , ivifV evidence ill -tlm- .ltiuijliei' of papers ivilio lintl. .gone through the Bankruptcy ■ Grarf, W liild convpromisert jyitli theip creditors', that the .jlrofils i.i.i. the l™siitc!.?s : wer.e liQ.t great, TH.is was. largely (V"*, in -I ■ liiV opinion, to the , pxees.sive c.li.aTgps 'tiadtf'liy ttosa mpfchairts nssocia.rect Avilh- - the rpiloraWii Jfer<\luVr,:ts' jVssbciijlmn-- 1 Whan -lift started lm \Mnat hfira -a larsp- . aniQuiiit of' capiUl,. and he vas faced rath-. tiie difficulty of. scaled fe.oods,. nni! JJffi cfiuld iiofc biiy h t-lio scaisrt -ffuan-t-jfifs-. . life go.t- o.fnpr trwlcr? to relieve him of ■■tlie .oy*rph'is of thSw lines, .afiu tliii.s' he i wnS. torccil to do. -a. ce.rtaih aiitciiin.t of trado. Sonic,, Merchants d.i'd , ; -uot-obj&t. to this* -pfftewhiivs bijt.ptlicrt' told .liinv that- it' he cncroaclied on tlieif i Sbmq.lf.lung Voiild l>B ddiie '.t.o-'.pfe--I'vertt ii'ini .doiiig so. This hifant; 'tliat ljij had to carry & stock .of Ijetjvcen. £2MO arid; vEadO*):,. '■■TV-ii'SiJ to- ,£CffO- woAi'.u- hayo been,''ample to (!o -the .retail, -business he, ■wa<; idoing at flie time.. ll«...ci.ted. plaid. niafcihes; Eitter ill iftOS- :c.r 1903 tlie=e- j(fet; ■3?. 'SJjV. p<?r gross net .spot The' .fe.derated. iiierKljinnts got <f6litr.nl of thii. supplyi- .a.ho .■ charged l=.-psr -|;rbss, v less-21 ;peT;.cenfc. ■or'ill 12-gr.p?s qiiiihtitiesi'o.t .'Mi- "d. 'per gross- 'Jbitfed.r, thcee:.' miitches- . had 'been' '-scaleil' at pajccels- e.qiialliiigiliOO. i't-oss-, an c.x'o.i'Mtitnfg.iiantity: for any' - rctaJlev, to bny, lie bought this flJiaritiVy :a£ -ii..fcbsi;.tif £m; anrt-liivd -.fq-jiiiload. Vo other :t.V!i'der,s-.. In- tesjicct- to .tinned iis.lv, irr'oqSrs .Had >-'o. take /Rrpss;-.. > '. -Ho : and. otlfoi's liad cvideiice. ..that' they, criuiil-. s«.t arti'des , '.'direct ■frpm- : -tlie.,.m.anu.■f'acfiir.er.3 .fefc less' Hian.. ■ they, cojild get frpiu-'tlio merchants., po- : was qjiito sarq, ■ tliit-Uifirc! \i-as■■4'■.combine in eiiristcliurclv: fra*liig. : .t)!;e:.!pPK«t' , t6:.^alff.patr&nl;tirVl.iij , es. Ke-.gav> Thb-fo'llpiviDJliEt,;pf ,price.3;! : thpsß. :ih-. tlio': fli-sScolumii being :.tii.c pTic.q-■ lie -.hirtse'lf-paid, ii'hilst -tlioso , iii. thp:.sc-cqnd-wore ii.aid by, thq smaller, trader.);— -: • -, ' ■ ■ ■ ... s. di 6, A,

Kippe.r.e,d fer.riiigs. (s.malt),. : .. . ,' " retailed, af .«....<.:..>..<..>■«■ Sl4 .*. .3 SRedpd taisiris ~v ~..,«., * .3' S.-. O , ..Cpeliineal ~...,■.»..■. B 1 ( Q Hrilliaiitsliino. ..:...;.,. < 0. (3; ■fjjnickslune- .v * '*. *■:$■ .iijfirtjviul's Baking Ppivcier..:. : .ft (V- 0 % I'Myriv.vestas ;.,;..,....,.•... ■~»•' 9' S , ,* ,■/' HoVfi.figs :and (pipato sauce .... fiuall) ;„, . : . V. :,;. fl , |) .i. tl GolHtaised liijlk, N:b. l. ( :gnoil, ISs. ■Sd , ., net caiii ISs. : (id : ., discount■?!■.ipeX ci?jiv..

Ajt ihe-■pricn.ip.aid by 'the , sjiialt tfs.dcr wt'i'v?;" 'subject- to ..I , -jier 'cent discoiint,. gar(!i!Vs .siiirr.v,.' witiie.ss SllsrciV' tl.ia.t "tliijiedera.t'fcd ■feqi'ttonts , clubbed together , fp

prerjent Jre<s trails in jth'.is, line, , .arid, that; ■ ■'idrgi re.tail.er? got, thp; £iill. .Ijenefii 'pf. : .li'igocst discount—s' ps'r cehtv. .;np..:fm:ther, Wat' the- li'earfs..,.gf tivo' tenia in ' Chrisichurclt. haft ■. .giyeit;iiinv :te Vi»i<^rltA»d; : ;tli'a'J{tjfj'--ho k ..;S,UEK /pjied: , goods , .16 a [pro'epr jvliOrwas. jbutfirig: ; .pi'icfes! 'his- , .supplies iwoul'd;-.bo ' ■ciii 3£e iiß , ilei:tpok , 'tq..;giy&.thd"''name4 ■ to-(ho:;cbrii , jn , issibn,.'p,rivafcl>v ■ .3ifltliic.U.ons; .of (l.uty . oil . Cplem.aii's . " in,u,s{ai'd■■■-, ''afriP Nefl'v.ri'SJpgd Bad : not ; been .passed; cin-tu; : ■ th©. coniiHinerj but l)R.d .ijefeu' '.(.'aUcn ,, :.; ,by' ■ ; .the:;mei-cliahtSi: '". "";- " .. . ' . ....

jii: , ,-. Ji Np\vman,-.fisli , decil{ir';,,isia'f«'&\ , tHafe: tfie ; deni;aiid' for , fish , %as.,.Mnntetl; ■■ ; . |, aii , (l when tlio; : was/bet(er;. to frepky tlif'fi'sfr , : 6r. 'pxpiirt. .itC, .vBS.cl ,: weather pn , CiVu^d/'ifluctiiations , in 'ise \.pricp of Ssh. ehristpKiircticioiilil l cpnsuni*): tlir.eoi or. fpur ; ;..t6ri3 : pf/.Ssh'r'but pivinS , : .fo- rdcent 'bad' , Av'^ather' ''uittlcr- lO'rie-. : tbn li.id. 'Bperi tnlt'ioii. ' ■p'rp'ycd aboptito.. 'harf. beeit |tp: i ..fpr.n.t aii , asso'cTat'ioh ainpngsf fisheTni?!! .in re , -, ■rt.nfc!'jsnTs'. Oinng : ';tp' "thp. ■ ■ Canterbury: AtqlinVatisa.tian ..Spcio'ty An. , liaki iEllc.sitfpi'S flpjnidbys;. , 'h'a'n-- , jnpreascdi iii 'pijitte Tlio lako.c'ontaihmi'laYge'fjuan'■titiVs of, .bu't. ; .the iveetis •■'pfeVeated them T;hp...saihvav..:pW ■pajtinfitii flitf Tipt -give, the: prpper: faciSitics, "tp ths people of Cluiistch.urclv. .fa.got fish fr.p.to S distance, In.- iummei:, iv.hp.it .jjlen'tifii'li iioftritlevs wfliild Be splij: :f.rp.nj 3s■• fb:' : Bs. 'pei: dazeh .G.i'bppr. :in:;;s.nmim'r: Avas Sbiititt Id'. W ?<1 ! , .-pcr-lb;, sttft -in--ll\«i ■•.vi'i.il'bi;.-!d. tp-.'Bd , . 'l-ha retail.-price would liriJtbojit $ ■per./qeiit higher. '■,■■.■; :Mf. ifaiiio* ilhhrt, ni,pin.aii,. ■Hint ilipro' .had }imi .no-..nibr.p.aso in :tluv p.r.i.qb: :of -liiUJc thii-uig. Hi*' ; pt;ViO(V covered m t\i6 ■cuni.niissiG.ii's-.orile.r o|. in'l'ereiiee , . %s■;: .folih SVpsfear.Ui- .staftil lliat vsliptt he .started , business; as 'a ■sfoct*' lie >vas. Waited upon by : t : K.6 Tctailcrs,: ■Sv.h.o .iiskeil hira'.fo splV nf. tho fiiiiiie a.«i .JptHer rctaiie.rs, ™. l \ J°' lV ft* K.fttaijors' jys.FC.cia? t.io'h, btherwise ■■Iris supnljos touHI .1)6: stopped;' ASitiiflss , clcfiKd' to ■pqi! a! liispWii Ijiit. .ujthniifply ip.inod. .-.(lip: association,. wont/nut; :pf bvisihess. Ho :ha.(!- expe'rießre .of (he fiipt tli'at. ha coiild; not buy .certAiii lines- :exr ce'p't. frpni' certain., -inerchants.