HIGH COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 224, 16 June 1920, Page 7

HIGH COST OF LIVING

WOMEN'S PETITION TO PARLIA- ; MENT. Br Teleeraph—Press Association. Christchurch, June 15. At a largely attended meeting of women this afternoon it was agreed to petition Parliament as follows"We, the undersigned women of Christchiurch, respectfully urge you to use eveiy possible means through the powers vested in you to bring about a substantial reduction in tho present excessive cost of the necessities of life."

Miss Henderson, president of the Christohuroh branch of the National Council of Women, said that tho Government could and did control prices. She had noticed that the Government Statistician had stated that clothing had advanced only in proportion with foodstuffs. but she considered that ho did not know what he was talking about. The cost of New Zealand woollen goods was enormous, and this was the tune when they were most wanted, as there must be thousands of people in the country whose vitality bad been lowered bv influenza. There was a general opinion among women that they were being exploited, nor did the Board of Trade inspire confidence. Women would be reassured if they heard of a prosccntion for alleged oxcessive charges on children's woollen underwear. The meeting decided that Chrietcluirch women should form a league for the suppression of profiteering.