COST OF LIVING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16485, 26 February 1914, Page 11

COST OF LIVING.

HOW FARMERS COULD REDUCE

ARRANGEMENT WITH WORKERS SUGGESTED.

At yesterday's meeting of the Farmers' Union Mr F. G. Horrell suggested that the president, Mr C. H. Ensor, as chairman of the Commercial Committee, might try and come to some arrangement between farmers and labour organisations by which produce could be distributed by means of central agencies so that it would be brought more directly into the hands of householders and bring about a closer bond between tho producer and the consumer. The president approved of the suggestion. He stated that it touched on the cost of distribution and if farmers could come into touch with such organisations and discuss, the question they would be doing a great deal of good. The high cost of living he considered to be due to the unnecessary cost of distribution. Mr S. Weld objected strongly to the proposal and condemned it roundly. Ho sasv no reason why farmers should sell their produce at a specially low rate to the people who were doing their best to take away the living of the farmers. The matter' was left in the hands of the Commercial Committee.