COST OF LIVING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 7 June 1912, Page 5

COST OF LIVING

j MILK AND BUTTER PRICES. | By Telegraph—Press Association. [ _ _ Dunedin, Thursday, Giving evidence before the Cost of Living Commission this morning, Mr. Beissel, manager of the Taieri and Peninsula Company, said there was no understanding between companies here as to the price of butter in the winter months. "We are fighting like blazes," he said, "the whole lot of us." Milk had risen about 8 per cent, in price to the public during the last 10 years, due to increased wages and higher cost of distribution. He thought that milk would increase further in price, as pasteurisation was insisted on in many countries, and was bound to come here. The 'highest export price realised for his company this season for butter in London wan 138s per cwt., equal to Is l«/ 2 d per pound. Simultaneously they were selling butter in Dunedin at Is Oy 2 d per lb. THE LAND SPECULATOR. EXCISING THE MIDDLEMAN. Dunedin, Last Night. This afternoon Alexander Lorrie, Invercargill, gave evidence as to the increase of rentals and land values in that town. The cost of the necessaries of life, he said, had gone up about ten or fifteen per cent, in ten years. The higher standard of living was probably responsible, to some extent, for the increased cost of living. The cost of distribution was greater than formerly. Coal, firewood and milk had risen in price. Michael Joseph Ford gave evidence as to the objects of the Housewives' Union. It had reduced the price of milk to its members from Is 4d to Is per gallon. That also meant giving the producer 5d a gallon more than he formerly obtained from the retailer. The union had cut out the retailer. The curse of the country was land speculation. He believed in the unearned increment going to the State. "