COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2413, 19 March 1915, Page 6

COST OF LIVING

A DIFFICULT PROBLEM ENDEAVOUR TO PROVIDE A REMEDY CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION A discussion oil the cost of living question, took place at last night's meeting of the City Council, when most of those present aired their views on the subject. The discussion arose out of the following report by the Finance Committee:— fhat they have received the following resolution from Runanga Borough Council: 'That this Borough Council registers an emphatic protest at the way in which the foodstuffs of the people of this Dominion are being advanced and attributed to the war in Europe, and thus increasing the cosl of living to those least able to bear it And we further call upon the Govern* niont to exercise the powers vested in i: by regulating the price of common necessities within the bounds of reason which will check the cupidity of the few and protect the wellbeing of the whole.' The committee are of opinion that making allowance for the abnormal . condition of affairs arising out of the war, the increased price of foodstuffs in many cases has not been warranted, and that representations should be made to the Government and the members of the Wellington district to take action to secure food for the people of the Dominion at equitable rates." Views of the Mayor. In moving the adoption of the. report, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) expressed the opinion that the suggestion of the committee was one which the council might very well endorse. The heart of the Government should be stirred in this matter. Personally he could not see any warrant for the large increase in the price of meat, bread, and butter. Food prices generally should not have advanced in the manner they had done during the last few months. He believed that' the resolution, coming from the council, would have a good effect and that when it was sent on, the Government would endeavour to do something to ease the burden resting upon the great bulk of the people, of New Zealand. Councillor -J. Fuller, jun., in seconding the adoption of the report, expressed the opinion that the council should be a little more practical and go to the Government as a deputation and tell them what they thought of the matter. The Government should be induced to adopt a "hurry-up" policy in reducing the price of bread. He was not talking jocularly when he said that the councillors might do worse than starve for ft day and night, and then proceed to discuss the matter with the Government authorities so as to tell them that there were numbers of people in this city not getting what food they required because of the high prices. He proposed to move that the council should approach the Government as a deputation in regard to the matter. Farcical Side of the Matter. Councillor A. H. Hindmarßh considered that the passing of such a resolution, without making some practical suggestion that might help to solve the problem, would be to say the least of it undignified. Every little council in tho Dominion had passed similar resolutions and he had no doubt that the Runanga Borough Council spent the greater part of its time in doing this sort of tiling. The matter had. become 60 farcical that people when they saw these resolutions in print would not even bother to read them. He moved that the report be referred back to the committee in order that some practical suggestion might be adopted. Councillor L. M'Jienzie seconded the motion to refer the report back. He agreed with the remarks of Councillor Hindmarsh that the mere passing of such a resolution as" that before the council was not of much value. Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald considered that the passing of the resolution would strengthen the hands of the General Government. He did not agree that it was the duty of local bodies to suggest the remedy to the Government. Councillor J. Godber supported the resolution before the council, and considered that if it we're 'passed it would infuse a little more energy into the Government. Councillor It. Fletcher regarded the suggestion of Councillor Hindmarsh as a good one, but thought that instead of the report going back to the Finance Committee that & special committee should be set up toigo into the whole matter and report to the council. Inquiries that could be made would be of the utmost value. Councillor F. Frost was in favour of the suggestion put forward to consider the matter with a view of devising a remedy. Councillors Might Earn Titles. Councillor R. A. Wright was extremely glad to hear that some steps were to be taken to find a solution of the problem. That was what they were all waiting for. In Australia, where they had Labour Governments, they had done no better than the Government of New Zaaland had done. It all showed tho intensity of the problem. The council, if it could find a solution, would be one of the most advanced public bodies in the whole of Australasia. It would cover itself with glory, and every member of the council would deserve to receive a title from His Majesty the King. Councillor W. H. P. Barber considered it was within the functions of the council to draw the attention of the Government to the condition of things, and that some good might arise therefrom. Councillor E. Tregear was in favour of passing the resolution and leaving it to those persons in charge of the politics of the country to take action in the matter. Councillor M. F. Luckie said that if the resolution were adopted in general terms it would help to spur the Government to action because of tho knowledge that somo account was being taken of its doings. Councillor A. R. Atkinson was in accord with the idea- of referring the matter- to a committee, but was against passing nonsensical resolutions, which councillors in their ov/n hearts knew were of no value. It was easy to pass these resolutions and gain a little cheap popularity from the unthinking by doinp so, but there was nothing else to be gained. He personally objected to the council passing tho problem by, and at the same time record a vote of censure asrainst tile Government for failing to solve it. On a vote beint! taken. Councillor Rindmarsh's resolution to refer the report back to the Finance Committee was' carried unanimously.