THE COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 129, 25 February 1919, Page 7

THE COST OF LIVING

PROBLEM OF SOLUTION

WHOSE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY?

An interesting discussion as to who•thar Parliament or tho Arbitration Court should attempt to .solve the problem, of the cost of living took placo at yestcr-' day's sitting of -the Arbitration Court, When tho Wellington coach - workers* case was called, Mr.-M. J. Reardon, who appeared for tho union, asked that the matter bo set- down for hearing a couple of days liencei lie proposed to call tho Govcrnmont - Statistician' to\, ehoiy-'v tho position arising out of-whatever increases had been-granted during tho war and the 'difference-to-day- in -the value.of wages. i; Mr. Justice.Stringer: You want to sup. ■ pigment his statistics? ' Mi'i Reardon: I want to get tho ill. .formation that he can, give us. as applied to this particular case. 'Wo have,- of course, his general' statistical but I-want, if possible,- to submit; information, having practical ; application- to the. caso. ■ • - , The Court decided to hear the disp.ito on Wednesday morning. . Mr. Reardon - mentioned that ho was also appearing in the iron and -brass 'moulders' dispute,, and he proposed to call tho Government Statistician to give - evidence in that .caso as -well. He'added that the Trades and Labour Council had authorised 'him to request tho Government Statistician to prepare a statement = covering the position •Qt all the .unions affiliated with. tHo council. If-necessary he would have that statement■ prepared and placed before the pwrt. "It is .dear, : added Mr. Reanron, "that Pairliament has delegated its powers to tht> Court in this matter of the cost of living/'; ' ■' ' ■ . His Honqur: I do not know what Par- • liament moaut by that Act., It first of all feems to .assumethat wftgesshould go lip in sympathy with the increased cost of 'living; then it leaves us to consider ot.hor relevant considerations and do what-wc like. It pretty much leaves us where we "weire "before,' I think. . Mr, Reardon: T-think the examination of. the cost of living is mandatory upon the Coiirtnow. I.biow that in Dunedin the Court l expressed the'view that it was Parliament's duty' to examine* the cost'of living. . v. . His Honour: What we' said was that it was; futile to-increase wages in sympathy with the increased cost, of living, because the-cost of living inevitably soar- _ ed higher, and that the only remedy was ' for the Government to stop the increase in the cost, of living. ' Mir. Reardon: The Government lias apparently decided the other way—that it should board its responsibilities out. (Laughter.) ■ Thart responsibility has fallen upon the Arbitration Court, in my opinion. It seems clear enough. Tho Act j says: "The Court ehall take, into .consideration." . His Honour: We cannot'control the increased cost of living. The granting-of increased wage; does not seem to achieve . the object It leaves the worker very, much where he was before. . . ; Mr; Reardon: Since Parliament will not do its duty, I think the Court miist do,what- has been imposed upon it by Parliament.. His Honour: Go.on increasing wages in sympathy with the cost of living until something 'breaks?' Mr. Retrdon: Yes, until something breaks, or until Parliament sees the futility of its legislation. His Honour: Yes—well, it is an extraordinary position.- - The iron and brass moulders' dispute . was set down, for hearing on Wednesday ; In the case of the plumbers' and gasfitters' dispute, Mr.-A. W. Croskery said ha, was appearing for the union, and a.? he desired to call the Government Statistician lie .would like, the matter to be heard 011 Wednesday..:-"It is purely- a statistical -problem," lie-remarked. ' "Very well," replied His Honour, "we may as well have a feast of figurc-i on Wednesday. I ',-