COST OF LIVING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 294, 8 June 1912, Page 5

COST OF LIVING

THS DUNEDIN SITTING. By Telegraph—Preee Association. Dunedin, Last Night. Giving evidence before the Cost of Living Commission this afternoon, Robt. Breen, secretary of the Otago Trades and Labor Council, said that employers admitted that the cost of living had increased, yet in many trades wages had remained unaltered. Butchers' assistants at slaughteryards received an increase of 5s a week, which affected about 15 men. The price of meat could not have been affected by this increase. Mr. Fairbairn: It amounts to one farthing a carcase. J. W. Munro, master baker, said that the price of bread to-day was not more than it was ten years ago. The cost of distribution was at least one farthing per loaf more than the manufacturing cost. A private monopoly would give the public cheaper bread than the present competitive system. He advocated a municipal monopoly. W. H. Warren held that the land question underlay all other questions. Thomas Smith, butcher, denied the existence of any combination to regulate the price of meat. The price of cattle had risen, as also had wages. The Commission went into committee to hear the evidence of D. A. Aiken, assistant general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company. Wm. Grey, farmer, said that the increase in the cost of rural land in recent years 110 doubt led to the increased cost of living. Farmers were short of labor all the year round. John Clarke, farmer, attributed the increased cost of living largely to extravagance owing to the shortage of labor. He would not crop nearly so much next year as he did formerly. The Commission will sit to-morrow morning to take the evidence of any farmers who wish to tender it. The Commissioners intend to proceed to Christclmrch by the second express if business permits.

THE DUNEDIN MERCHANTS. MR. LAURENSON'S VIEWS. Dunedin, Last Night. In an l interview to-night regarding the refusal of the merchants in Dunedin to give evidence "before the Cost of Living Commission, the Hon. G. Laurenson said that, speaking as Minister of Labor, and knowing the urgent demand that has been made from every section of the community and every part of the country for an inquiry into the cost of living, he was more than surprised that any man having to do with the distribution of the necessaries of life should hesitate about giving evidence. He would have thought that they would have been only too glad to furnish the fullest information on the subject. When they refused to do so the public would be sure to draw the last conclusion that he was sure the merchants would like the public to draw.