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GOST OF LIVING

COMMITTEE'S REPORT APPOINTMENT OF FOOD CONTROLLER SUGGESTED FOOD TRUSTS TO BE SUPPRESSED. STATE-CONTROLLED SHIPPING LINE URGED. Tho report of tiro CosLof-Living Committee of the IHouse of Representatives was presented to Parliament last night by the chairman of the committee Mr C. E. Stathaan (Dunedin Central). Tho Cost-of-Living Committee was sot up some time back for the purpose of inquiring into and reporting upon matters connected with tho cost of living. The committee has taken tho sworn evidence of a large number of persons, including members of the Board of Trade, wholesale merchants, retailers, representatives of the dairy and other industries, the Wellington Trades and Labour Council, and Government departmental officers. As the result of its investigations the committee makes the following recommendations : FOOD CONTROLLER. (1) That a food controller be forthwith appointed who shall have a seat in Cabinet and in whom shall be vested special plenary powers of administration to enable him to deal promptly from time to time with problems affecting or which may affect, tho cost of living with power to control and regulate tho prices of food supplies and of any other necessaries of life. (2) That the constitution, duties and powers of tho Board of Trade he amended to meet the altered conditions consequent upon tho appointment of the food controller. TRUSTS AND COMBINES. (3) That suh-section 2 of section 2 of the Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, and tho schedule to the said Act (as amended by section 12 of tho Cost-of-Living Act, 1915) specifying tho goods to which the Commercial Trusts Act applies, be repealed, thus making the provisions of the last-mentioned Act directed against the formation of trusts and combines apply to any goods whatsoever. SHORT WEIGHT. (4) That in order to protect the public from short weight and short measure legislation be passed providing that all packages or other receptacles in which goods have been put up ready for sale shall have clearly-marked thereon the net weight and not quantity of the goods contained therein* CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES. (5) That encouragement ho given hy legislation or otherwise to tho formation or carrying on of co-operative societies for the distribution of commodities of all kinds. GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTION. (6) That where necessary, in the into'ests of the community, the Government should undertake the purchase and wholesale and retail distribution of goods by sale or otherwise, and that the necessary legislation Be passed to enable this to be done. FISHING INDUSTRY. (7) That vigorous steps be taken to develop the fishing industry throughout the Dominion, with a view to obtaining a cheap and plentiful supply of fish for the community. STATE LINE OF STEAMERS (8) That the question of oversea and local shipping, being of paramount importance, the Government should take into consideration the advisability of establishing a State-controlled co-operative lino of steamers for tho carriage of the imports and exports bf the Dominion, and for meeting tho requirements of tho inter-coastal and Islands trades. HIGH RENT EVIL. (0) That in order to check more effectively any cases of unfair increase of rents over pre-war rates, tho provisions of Part 1 of the War Legislation Amendment Act, 1916, ho amended, and that in cases where renfs have been increased in contravention of the terms of the Act, a duty shall be cast upon the Labour Department to investigate, and, where necessary, bring such cases before the courts for adjustment. Further, tho committee is of opinion that tho curtailment of the suburban train services has been a factor in increasing tho rents in the cities, and urges the reinstatement of such services as will enable suburban residents to attend their occupations and roach their homes without serious difficulty. FOOD CONTROLLER’S POWER. The committee is of the opinion that the special plenary powers to be vested in tho Food Controller should include amongst others the following:— (a) To effectually prevent increase in prices in any case where such proposed increase is not justified to his satisfaction, and where necessary to fix from time to time maximum wholesale and retail prices of goods throughout. New Zealand. (b) To provide for tho regulation of retail prices of local products to consumers in Now Zealand in the following manner, namely: By the purchase at ruling export prices of such products as may be required for local consumption, and the distributing thereof throughout tho Dominion at such prices as the Food Controller shall think fit, the loss being- met out or the Consolidated Fund. (c) To make arrangements for the elimination, as far as possible, of the present unnecessary and wasteful cost of distribution. (d) To eliminate middlemen profits, wherever possible, by bringing the consumer more nearly into contact with the producer. (e) To take the necessary steps to ensure the efficient carrying out of tho through-booking scheme for perishable foodstuffs and of tho frmt-by-post scheme. ({) To fix and otherwise deal with rents of duelling houses under powers

similar to those under which ho may deal with prices of goods. CHAIRMAN INTRODUCES REPORT. Mr C. E. Statham (Dunedin Central), chairman of tho Cost of Living Committee, in bringing down tho report, said that the committee had had before it sixty-eight petitions in all praying for relief in regard to tho cost of living, and tho committee recommended that those petitions, together with their general reports on the subject, should go to the Government for tlieir consideration. Ho thought j;hat it would bo acknowledged by all hon. members that the cost of living problem was one which had baffled legislators throughout tbo world. Attempts had been made in nearly all countries to deal with tho increased cost of living duo to the war. In some countries tho attempts bad failed absolutely, and in other oases they had only been partially successful. The committee had devoted a groat deal of time to the consideration of the problem, and he wished to acknowledge tho . harmonious way in which they had worked together.in the preparation of the report. He had no doubt that tho report would meet with vigorous criticism. He admitted that the committee itself was not unanimous in its findings. The report might meet with a good deal of destructive criticism; but he hoped that, if so, tho destructive .critics would en deavour to help them as far as pos siblc by making also constructive sug gestions. (Hear, hear.) Ho acknowleged tho assistance given to tho committee by tho Board of Trade, the Wellington Trades and Labour Council, the merchants, and Government departmental officers who had given evidence before the committee. Ho thought that the report contained a very clear indication of tho linos on which they wished the Government to go in dealing with tho problem.

A FOOD CONTROLLER WANTED. The appointment of a Food Con. troller was one of tho chief recommendations of the committee. (Hear, hear.) The committee was of opinion that he should be a Minister of the Crown and have Cabinet rank. (Hear, hear.) Ho was not to bo limited to the control of food supplies, but his sphere of activity would be extended to, all commodities that were neoes saries of life, and his plenary powers would apply to all those commodities. (Hear, hoar.) The committee felt it absolutely necessary that such a person should be appointed to deal with the over-changing problems of the cost °f living; for tho House could not possibly pass legislation that would meet all the difficulties that might arise between now and tho next session. It had been suggested that tho Food Controller should hold also tho portfolios of Customs and Trade and Commerce, which would enable him to keep in close touch with the commodities with which ho would have to deal. But it was pointed out, on tho other hand, that his duties as Food Controller would he s o heavy that fie would not have time to administer those departments; and consequently no recommendation was made on that point. Tiro committee held that the -Board of Trade should aot as an advisoiy body to the Food Controller, and report direct to him, not to Cabinet. “TOO MANY COOKS.”

Tho committee found that in the past some of these food problems had been handled by too many people, by too many departments (hear, hear); and they felt that if they could be concentrated in tho hands of one person they would have a much better chance of being dealt with properly. (Hear, hear.) The committee was unanimously of the opinion that the provisions of tho Commercial Trusts Act should be extended to all commodities of every kind whatsoever—(hear, hear) —and that special provision should bo made by legislation to prevent the public receiving short weight and short measure in packages made up for sale. (Hear, hear.) He desired to emphasise the possibilities of co-operative societies in regard to the problem. In England many co-opera-tive societies had developed from small beginnings into very largo concerns. (Hear, hear.) It had been suggested that legislation should be passed under which local bodies could be compelled to engage in any trade to keep down tho coat of living; but it was pointed out that many local bodies might not be competent to undertake such work, and tho suggestion did not meet with favour. A member: “Some of them desire to have powers to engage in any trade.” Mr Statham thought that they had ample powers. In certain cases, however, private interest was working against public interest. FISK RETURNED TO THE SEA. For example, in some part of the Dominion good fish was actually dumped back into the sea for fear that if put on the market it would bring down prices; and something should be done to make that impossible. (Hear, hear.) Mr Payne: ‘That is done in Wellington.” Mr C. J. Parr (Eden): “It was done in Auckland.” Mr Statham said that something should he done to stop that sort of thing. (Hear, hear.) Ho pointed out that high freights fell particularly heavy on tho consumer, as the importer charged his profit on the landed cost; so that tho consumer had nob only to pay the high freight but a profit on top of it. Tho committee held that tho way to meet high freights was to establish State-controlled cooperative shipping, ensuring full cargoes both to and from New Zealand and regulating freights. The public would have shares in the concern, and the State, hy its interest in it, would .be able to see that it was properly carried out. _ THE RENT PROBLEM. The committee thought that there should aljso bo an amendment of the War Regulations Act by which the duty would be cast upon the Labour Department of investigating all cases in which rent was unduly increased; and, if necessary, tho Labour Department should take action against the landlords. (Hear, hear.) That suggestion was especially made in the interests of the poorer tenants, who, particularly when they were women, did not like to take action themselves. (Hear, hear.) It was particularly clear to all of the committee that tHe congestion in the cities was in some measure due to the fact that insufficient facilities were now given to people to, live in the suburbs; and the committee urged that some proper suburban service should be reinstated. (Hear, hear.) He had not much faith in the policy of fixing prices, he declared. It had been tried in Germany, with all the forces of militarism behind it, and had proved a failure. Most of the powers which the commit-

te© believed shoild be vested in the food controller were, he claimed, powers which should bo vested in him if bo was to make a success of his office. (Hear, hear.) The committee divided into three classei the commodities with which the food ontroller had to deal — (1) manufacture! goods imported into the Dominion ; (i) goods manufactured in the Dominiol from raw materials imported from overseas: and (3) the staple products if the Dominion and goods manufactured from them, meat, wool, butter, ehelse, etc. TO KEEP DOWT PRICES OF NEW ZBALANb PRODUCE. With regard to.t-he first two classes, prices were in large measure beyond the control of tie Dominion, though something no doibt could he done. Dealing with the retail prices to the people in New Zealand of articles m the third class, the committee suggested that thi Food Controller should have power to take over all such goods at export price, place them on tho local market at a lower price, and make up theidiffereneo out of the Consolidated Fumi. (Hear, hear.) Ho believed that if !tho Government at tho beginning of! the war had taken over such products, tho position would not- now hare b|>en so aggravated. (Hear, hear.) believed that the producers would lave loyally bowed to the decision or the Government, and any war profits ivould have gone to the State. (Hear, hear.) But any attempt now to force down prices to pro-mar rates would he undoubtedly disastrous to many small farmers in Now (Zealand, as| live stock and land had changed hands at abnormally-in-creased prices. Tho question as to who should stand the loss On selling at reduced prices was one about which there might be considerable difference of opinion. It wjas suggested to the committee that the producers themselves should make up tho differeatce, by being made to contribute to an equalisation fund \ but it was objected to that under 'such a system the small producers in many cases would be contributing to keep down food prices for the benefit of wealthier men than themselves; whereas it was considered that by taking it out of the Consolidated Fund wealthier classes would havo to make up the equalisation fund. (Hear, hoar.) But he suggested that a ■ comparatively light export tax might bo put on all produce. It would not be a hardship to anybody. (Hear, hear.) Sir Joseph Ward: “Did the committee assess what the loss to the Consolidated Fund would be?”

JVlir Statham: “They could not assess it. It all depends upon what reductions the Food Controller made.' - Lord Rhondda was following exactly the same principle at Home, he stattod. Tbo Minister for Finance had a ■knack of finding millions whenever they were wanted, and they would look to him to do it. (Hear, hoar, and 1 aught or.) The committee felt that the present system, or want of system, with regard to distribution was moat wasteful, and was a. large factor in keeping up the - cost of living; and it was felt that that was a matter which the Food Controller could deal with, not only in the cities, but also in the country .districts, especially in the case of the backblooks settler. In some of the backblocks the cost of getting goods delivered amounted very often to as much’as the cost of the goods themselves. The regulation of profits and the elimination of the (middleman were also matters which the 'Food Controller oould begin to deal with at once. Ho should bo a man of wide and varied business experience, a bold and fearless man who would deal with questions in a thorough manner. Mr Payne: “I am sending in an application to-morrow.” (Laughter.). Mr Sbatham said, in conclusion, that a large amount of the evidence was of a confidential character, and could not be given to the House. Mr Massey: “What about the ptinting of the evidence?” Sir Statham said that the evidence contained a lot of wholesale cost prices. He did not think they would bo at Hberty to give them. Mr J. T. .M. Homsby (Wairarapa) said that the confidential part of the evidence was not.taken down. Finally, Mr Stabham moved that it lie on the table and be printed. MR SIDEY MOVES AN AMENDMENT. Mr T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South), a member of the committee, moved that the report be referred back to the committee for the further consideration of tho paragraph proposing that any loss on tne sale of exportable products for local consumption be 'borne by the Fund. Mr Massey; “Is jt a committee divided against itself?” Mr Sidey; ‘ ‘The Prime Minister was on the committee,' and knows that the same course was not taken with tuis recommendation as with the others.” The committee, he added, divided almost equally on the matter. A member: “Eight to six.” Dr Thacker (Christchurch "Fast): “Which way did butter-fat vote?” (Laughter.) . An effort, stated Mr Sidey, was made to get back into committee on tho clause in question to have it reconsidered but that could not be done except with the unanimous consent of the committee. Ho, therefore, asked the House to give the committee an opportunity of getting back into committee on that clause, in tho hope that they might come to a unanimous decision.

Mr J. Payne (Grey Lynn): “That is only prolonging tho fight.” Mr J. T. M. Hornsby: “What chance have we of getting legislation on it if yon delay any longerl J ” Mr E. P. Lee (Oamarn): “Wo shall bo here till Christmas, anyhow 1” (Laughter.) Mr Sidey said that his objection to the clause was that it was absolutely unqualified. No limit was stated. The only relief was to bo given at the expense of the Consolidated Fund, and he declined to consent to that. (Hear, hear.) The prices complained of were war prices—war profits; and, since they were not levying any special tax on war profits, he thought that those profits might be called upon to contribute to the necessary equalisation fund. (Hear, hear.) What the proposal would cost the Consolidated Fund m.ght bo gauged by the tact that it was estimated that it would exist a million sterling to reduce the price of meat Id a pound, and he contended that the proposal was not in accordance with the evidence of any of the witnesses before the committee, whereas both Mr Cuddie and even the president of the Dairy Association had supported, at least in part, his suggestion, which was that when JNew Zealand produce was sold by order ot the Pood Controller at loss than tho cost of production, tie Consolidated Fund should ma£e up the difference;

but, where the price was above the cost of production, hut below the export price, the difference should bo made up by an equalisation fund derived from war profits. (Hear, hear.) GOVERNMENT NOT SYMPATHETIC TO BOARD OF TRADE. Mr Sidey declared that the impression of tlie committee was that the Board of Trade had not enjoyed the sympathetic support from the Government that it might have expected. Mr MacDonald, of the Board of Trade, stated in his evidence that last year when the House was in session the board .ashed that they should be given power to require persons who proposed to increase prices to como before them and justify the increase, but that power was not given them. Ho asked' the Prime Minister how it was that when that request was made tliat power was not granted, though legislation might have been easily passed. The committee proposed to give .that power to the Food Controller, and to give him a similar power with regard to rents, too. SIR J. G. WARD’S OPINION “AMAZING RECOMMENDATIONS.' Sir Joseph Ward said that although the duty of the Government was to do everything possible to reduce the cost of living, it had to look carefully at any report of a committee of the'House set up on this matter. Such a reouest, if adopted, might endanger t!»e country’. With all deference to the committee, he was amazed at its sustgest.ons in respect to the Consoli% dated Fund of the country. He was amazed, too, that a man of Mr StaMiam's iatoiiigcnco should make such a suggestion. . Mr Vcitch (Wanganui); “The Prime Minister voted for it.” (Laughter.) Mr Massey: “But I thought it would not work out.” (Loud langf.ter.) “I told them I would not support it in Parliament.” Sir Joseph Ward said that the very people the committee were proposing to relieve by this suggestion were the very people who would be penalised by making up the loss in the Consolidated Fund. The committee proposed plenary powers for the Food Controller, but could any member imagine any Minister* being associated with a Minister with such unlimited powers? Such a man, if appointed, should be

out of tho . Government. Why not give him supreme power, as an autocrat, and adjourn Parliament altogether ? Mr Payne: “It would be better than the National . Government.” (Laughter.) Tho whole reason, for a Food Controller being appointed in England, continued Sir Joseph, was because of the very high prices, tlie' foods having to be imported, and the possibilities of starvation. Cbnditions in Neiw Zealand were exactly opposite. Therefore members must not base their conclusions on the position of tho Old Country. New Zealand bad tho great natural condition that it was , much more than self-supporting, and, further, tl.h country was to a large extent dependent upon the revenue derived from such produce. In faoo of this there was the suggestion that the Fool Controller should purchase all the produce, fix his own price, and sell it, making up any loss out of the Consolidated Fund. Rather than this uncertain condition, ho would prefer tlie Government to make a straight-out contribution of £250,000, £500,000, or a million pounds to meet tho difficulty. If anyone could control food prices it was tho controllers of tho shipping, the British Government, who had disappointed producers hero and caused great monetary loss by being unable to lift the produce. Mr Payne: “Well, why don’t you sell it here?” Sir Joseph replied that he did not think the exigencies of war would allow the ■ Government being dishonest to the producers. AN IMPERIAL SCHEME. There was the suggestion, continued Sir Joseph, that there should be an export tax. . He did not agree with such a tax. Another astonishing suggestion of the committee was for tho establishment of a Dominion Statecontrolled shipping firm. To embark on such a. venture in the middle of the war had as much possibility in it as jumping at the moon. No Government in the world could undertake such A ncherae at the present time. As to the remainder of the proposals, he would like further time for consideration of these. Ho was at one with the House in a firm endeavour to reduce the cost of living. He did not agree with the suggestion that the . importer should make no profit. The importers were part and pai-cel of the community and it was hardly fair to ask them to carry on their business with increased freights and no profits. To his mind

tha only way to get over the trouble was to fix the actual profits to bs made by the importers. FAIE PLAY WAITED. Air V»*. A. Veitoh (AVacganui) said ho thought the previous speaker had over-estimated the powers of tbo P ro " rr.'sed food controller. He- agreed with the amendment proposed by Mr Sidey. Ho agreed that it was absurd that a large sum of money should bo drawn from tho Consolidated Fund. Tho financial proposals or the Goverrir;icr.t bad been drawn up for the year and it was unfair xo propose such a step. It was the duty of the Goirnraient to seo fair play between the producer anti the consumer. The Government, if it was a National Government, must sec that the. producer had a. reasonable prosperity and that the consumer was, not penalised thereby. The profits of the wool kings had jumped up 75 P© r cent., while tho wage-earning power of the consumer had gone down 33 percent. , He had strongly protested about the point embodied in the amendment. It was not fair to the consumer. A HINT FOE ME MASSEY.

Ho would have liked Air Massey to have heard the evidence of one witness before-the committee. Mr Massey considered the Labour leader's were always unreasonable, but this wrtness would Jiavo convinced him to tiro contrary. Mr Massey: “Who ryos bo?" Mr Veitoh said the president of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council had spoken in a practical and reasonable way. He had pointed out that it was only the unions who were aggressively militant that had _ secured higher wages, while other unions who bad been more peaceful had remained in old conditions. The Government should encourage labour people to ventilate their grievances to Parliawent and not close the door in their faces. If the amendment now before the. House were not adopted, one of the most important features of the report would he a failure. In regard,to. the bread, difficulty, he would advise the Government to guarantee the producers a fair price, collect toe wheat itself, and manufacture the flour and let tha local bodies undertake the baking and distributing, A new principle of State and municipal monopoly should bo adopted.

MR MASSEY SPEAKS HE DEFENDS THE HIOPIIOEHS-

Air Alnssey said ho was sorry, and in one way pleased, that the committee had been'unable to obtain any instances of exploitation. ' A|r J. T. M. Hmnsby: ‘Tes, we did-” . .. Mr Massey: “If so, Jet ns near i l during the evening.’’ . Mr Massey continued that there appeared to h® a feeling among tho general puljlic that the cost of living oouid be rednood hy the Government hy a scratch of th e pen, The Government had to act carefully in such matters, and had to be careful pot to hinder production. The reason why the difficulty had arisen in respect,to the local growing of wheat was largely due to the abuse heaped on the heads of the-wheat-growers hy members of the House. He admitted that the producers had received remunerate ve prices, hut they had beeh industrious and had brought' much good toj tho country. ‘ " ’ : A member i ‘‘Don’t'you admit the city worker has done something ?” Mr Massey: "Oh, yea. No .one has worked harder, though, than the small dairy farmer.” _ ' . Mr Payne: “What is the cause ot it all ?” ' Air Massey: “And what wa s their profit at the end of the year? I saw a table of statistics wbieb showed that many of them did not make a profit or more than £IQO or £ISO 'for the year. They are working for the good of the Dominion.’ 1

Air Massey paid that he could not agree With an equalisation fund. He was not going to do anything that would be unjust to toe producer. Mr A, H. Hinfimarsh: “If a man is buying at enhanced prices, he, is contributing to tbe equalisation fund.” Mr Massey announced that tfie Government hoped shortly to have a special arrangement by which meat would bo taken nut of the freezing chambers, mat against the will of the producers, and sold at reasonable, prices to local consumers- , . ~ Air 'Wiftord: “Will you he able to sell a single carcase of lamb ?" Mr Masgey: “I hope to be qble to do that.”

AH Alnssey added that there was no magic about the name of Food Controller. In sipito of such an official in England prices had increased 90 per cent.

The report now before the House was an interim one, and toe committee of the House had yet to make its final report. A NIG GEE IN THE WOOD-PILE.

AH Hornsby opposed the amendment. He suggested Air AlaoDohald, n member of- film Board of Trade, as the proposed Food ■ Controller. He was opposed to the proposal of an equalisation fund. To ask .the dairy farmer, xvho, with his family, had to. Work such long hours, to contribute to a fund tq keep down toe prices of food to the people of the country was, he contended, most unfair, the people of New Zealand, bp declared, were being swindled by the profiteers, and the Board pi Trade was a dismal failure, because there was a nigger in the wood-pile. There was one man whet had been put there to prevent the other members of toe board doing the work.

Mr J. McCombs (Lyttelton): “Name Idm, name,him !” Air Hornsby: “No, I won’t. I must leave something to the imagination.” (Laughter.) Wlhea he had asked how it was that no prosecution had taken place under the Oemmexolal Trusts Act sine© the sugar case soma two years or so ago, it wpa replied that too Board of Trade had referred cases to to© Crown Law Office, and had been told that no action would lie. The people of toe country had naked for bread, and toe Government had given them a atone. The question was how long they would put up with that sort of thing. (Hear, hear.)

Mr McCombs declared that unless they were given another day to discuss the report they would not be getting the adequate opportunity to debate it promised them by the Prime Minister Rasing at 25 minutes to 12, he said] he was, with' the exception of the Finance Minister, the first member of the Mouse to speak who was not a member of the committee. Mr McCombs vigorously condemned the actions of the Board of Trade on the wheat and the meat question, and on the cost of living generally. The wheat transactions in New * Zealand 'gave evidence of . profiteering. Meat

was highest in the two centres where the Board of Trade had interfered. The board had presented iis interim report on* April ls't : —surely a fittingday, said Mr McCombs. The method adopted by the Covemmout in trying to keep down the cost of living was a rank piece of humbug. - Mr 0. A. Wilkinson "(Egmonf) saw no reason why the report’ of the' committee should not be 'referred' back, to it again. ‘ / i

Mr A. Walker (Dunedin North}. said he would support She amendment. Tie dealt at some length with, riie Government's . neglect. .to properly cope with the increasing cost of living. The motive of the. Government was. to maintain high prices in .the food products of file country so that the' revenue might bo satisfactory. Sir Joseph Ward: “Oh,-nonsense.'’ Air I’. G. Webb said thaT if'the Government wished to. "reduce the. cost of living in one direction . a-’ Hoyal Com mission should be appointed to investigate the manner in which the coal mines were wor'kdd. Ho was .sure the commissionwould .report . agarnst the wholesale destruction of coal .going on in the mines. . ~-x ■*. -

Mr" T. M. Wilford (Hint) said that ho had asked - the D/ime .Minister long ago why, with.2s million.sheep in -New. Zealand and ‘two Vat)df a-Jmlf million cattle, meat .ivars'-'so' ■.dear’’hpd'- why, when the stores. were overflowing" with butter and cheese, the people had to pay so muchifor 'thoso'productsypHogot no answer,, so he put the- question again l . The Hon, -W. -D. S.: MacDonald dcfended the notion ®f ;’the" Government and of tire Hoard of Trade with, regard tq the cost 'o-f'-living.- ;.-:t:c-p:. • Mr Paype declared "that vested’interests wore protected in tho Hotisep t-h® little hackblpcks -farmer -hbilig" just a stalldng-lvprse .fprotheM.- " The.high cost of jiving was duo farther forcing-up of upearned jner-ement-:nhpvland forming spurious capital ; on. which thfip, workers were eompel)ed .to ; pay, interest in high prices. .. , x:,-.' ■ ' The report, was ref erred.back to the committee for further, consideration,

- At the mesting.rQf the, I?ctona Borough Coimcij last night- the foliovring motion by Councillor McKonzio was, carried; —That...owing to; the cohtinupd high cost of the nucessaries of. ■ iji?, anfi tjiq, fttill- advanmng;-to'toeft* o {- : f9 c ! < t--a atijffg, th® poyernwent .be req-uested to breed and graze stock on their; own.-, (and, suitable for ,that purpose; dm on?; 4er that retailL; butchers/ shops’ bo;opened in the various districts so‘ that: illhe peoplemiglhtobtain rJmtohefl'Hinioahqt the lowest potoiblo/prices-; ■' -Dro-pe-riy • -equipped«fapms -for ■grarinig"-and ■ milk suPP'ly . would- -h«’ Xa; ■valuable.. osset of employment in the country for returned soldiers, as well --as helping the people in the town in the-strugglo for existence. . ,

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19171016.2.45

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9792, 16 October 1917, Page 6

Word count
Tapeke kupu
5,297

GOST OF LIVING New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9792, 16 October 1917, Page 6

GOST OF LIVING New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9792, 16 October 1917, Page 6

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