THE PRICE OF BUTTER.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3588, 27 September 1920, Page 6

THE PRICE OF BUTTER.

EVIDENCE BEFORE COMMITTEE.

THE WORKING MEN'S VIEW

WELLINGTON, Sept .24.

Parliament's Butter Prices Committee met again to-day. A letter was received from the New Zealand Alliance of Labour regarding an invitation ito give evidence, staling (that the executive did not teonsider -the time :ripc for the Alliance to take action.

Mr. Campbell (secretary of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council) jsaid the question had not been considered by 'the Council. While not denying the farmer the full value of his products at a time of high prices, their complaint was that the working man lad nor had his share in the spoil. If it were 'admitted that ' the farmer should have the same price in New Zealand as in the overseas market, there must be some consideration for the man who had to pay those prices. A discontented man was a nuisance, and a whole community of discontented men would be a grave menace. Prom his own knowledge he knew that the majority of working men were Jiving from hand to mouth. The aver : age labourer does not receive more than £3 a week. An. increase in the price of butter by a shilling a pound .was a serious matter to the average working man. He considered if the price of butter were raised there should be a commensurate rise in wages. Workers had been asked by members of the Council to make a suggestion that there should be a tax on export, and ah. adequate supply of butter should be kept in the country for the needs of the community.

THE SECOND BALLOT QUESTION. LONDON, Sept. 24. It is unofficially stated that the miners vrfteol 360 for and 545 against a fresh ballot. Mr. Smillie strongly advocated the affirmative, and it is reported he even threatened to resign if the way was blocked to a concilia-

tory settlement, but other leaders dissuaded him. It is believed the protracted character of the Triple Alliance proceedings of the railwaymen and transporters to a sympathetic strike, may yet induce the miners to consent "to a second ballot.