COST OF LIVING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 305, 21 June 1912, Page 5

COST OF LIVING

CUT PRICES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Thursday. Mr. A. C. Nottingham, in reply to Mr, Gold's statement re Jeyes Fluid Company, gives an extract from a letter by the company to him, of August 25, 1911, stating that they had explained to Mr. Beauchamp that while in sympathy with stopping useless cutting of price, they were anxious that the minimum prices should not be unnecessarily high. Mr. Beauchamp replied that if his associations were appointed distributing agents they would regulate this in a way satisfactory to all parties. Mr. Nottinghim adds that in view of this, when asked by the Commissioner if Mr. Beauchamp had tried to get the exclusive control of Jeyes-' fluid for the Merchants' Association he replied in the affirmative, and had no other alternative. AUCKLAND'S EVIDENCE.

Auckland, Last Night. The Cost of Living Commission opened to-day. Arthur Withers, general secretary of the Land Valuers' League, said that in the Dominion the landlords' tribute in rates and taxes totalled no less than £22,500,000, which had to he carried by useful people and handed over to the landlords, to local bodies, and to the State before the heads of families began to receive anything to buy food and clothing for themselves. Joseph. Flanigan, a farmer, expressed the opinion that the increased value of land was responsible for the rise in the cost of farm products. F. Mackill, a farmer, stated that the price of dairy produce had increased greatly in recent years. Albert Sanford, director of a local fish firm, said that the Wholesale price of fish had risen. He denied that a ring of retailers existed in Auckland.