COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3164, 16 August 1917, Page 3

COST OF LIVING

STATE AND MUNICIPAL MEAT SHOPS

COMING LEGISLATION Tho cost of living was tho subject of several questions in the Jlousc of Jlenrcsentauves yesterday afternoon. Tho question aroso through Mr. isitt asking the Go\ernmeut whether there wns any prob* ability of the Christchurch City Council being _ able to establish meat 'shops on the lines of tho Government shops in Auckland. The Hon. G. W. Eussell said thero was no power under the law at the piesent time for municipal corporations to establish meat shops. Those in Auckland, ho believed, were under the direct control of the Government. Whilst tho Cost of Living Act, 1915, gave extensive powers to municipalities, strange to sav tho power had been withheld or not "given for municipalities to run meat sliops. Ho had had a letter from the Christchurch City Council with regard to this question. Other municipal corporations were also seeking powers in regard to reducing tho cost of living. One loyuest had come from Petone, asking for tho right to sell firewood. Ho had given instructions for a Bill to bo drafted extending the powers of municipal corporations for tho establishment of meat shops and in any other direction for reducing tho cost of living. He hoped to bring the Bill before the House in duo course. Tho Prime announced that the Board of Trade was going to Christchurch, ho bolioved that evening, certainly within a day or two, with the object of looking into the question of tho prico of meat in that city, and (sfablisliing at least one meat shop there, if sufficient encouragement offered and the necessiiy for suich sbop existed.

Mr. W. H. Field asked whether it was correct that tho .State mea't shops in Auckland were selling meat at a big financial loss. Mr. Massev stated that up to tho present, and he thought it was likely to continue, tho meat shops in Auckland had been a great financial success. ■Mr. Walker complained that Dunedin and Christcluiirch members of the House had not been appointed to the Cost of Living Committee. Nor were the Labour members represented on it. Mr. Jennings claimed that the backblocks districts should be represented oil the committee. Mr. Payne considered that the subject was of sufficient importance to warrant tho ivholo House going into Committee upon it. The Prime Minister.stated that ho was anxious to 6elecl those men giving most attention to the question. In reply to Mr. Walker lie pointed out that Mr. Sidey represented Dunedin. He did not know whether Mr. Sidey would call himself a Labour member, but ho was certain he represented as many wageearners as any member of tho Houso. (Hoar, hear.) Al'r. M'Calluni: Par more than Dunedin North. Mr..Massey said that Mr. Stathnm also represented Dunedin. Timarra was particularly well represented by Mr. Crnigie. With regard to tho representation of Christchurch, lie v.ould look into the matter and seo what could lie done. A deputation of members liad waited upon him that morning and asked that Messrs. Hudson and Glover he added to the committee. He had given the deputation a favourable reply, and lie was quite willing if the Houso agreed to carry (lit the request.

TTtxm Mr. Massey's motion, Messrs. Hudson and Glover wero added to the committee.