ANOTHER PROMISE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1931, Page 6

ANOTHER PROMISE

TO LOWER COST OF LIVING. L by Telegraph, Per Press Association WELLINGTON, April 29. A declaration that the Government would carry out a policy of bringing the cost of living into aligiment with the reduction of wages was made by Mr do la Perrelle, Minister of Industries and Commerce to-day. He said liis Department would make extensive investigations into the prices charged for the necessities of life, and would see that the consuming public were nob exploited. The “cut’ in wages had, naturally, reduced the overheadcluirges in industry as well as the spending power of the public, and it was essential that a new level should be established as quickly as possible Already figures supplied by the Government Statistician showed there had been a steady decline in the cost, both of food and clothing and even in rent. Those figures would he closely scrutinised from now on, and if it were considered that the public were not getting the benefit' of the reduction ol

costs, then steps would certainly he taken to see that a comprehensive inquiry was instituted immediately. The Government was anxious that there should be no reduction in the wage earners purchasing power. The Minister adde that he was pleased to see that efforts were being made to educate New Zealanders to give a preference to the goods manufactured in their own country.