COST OF LIVING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 306, 22 June 1912, Page 5

COST OF LIVING

A PROTEST FROM TARANAKI. By Telegraph—Press Awociation. Hawera, Friday. The Taranaki executive of the Farmers' Union yesterday passed a resolution protesting against the farcical manner in which evidence is taken before the Cost of Living Commission, both in not giving reasonable facility for country evidence and sitting only in the larger centres; and that the member for the district be asked to bring the protest before the House, a copy of the resolution to be sent to the Taranaki members of Parliament and the Dominion ExecutiTe. Auckland, Last Night. Thomas Miller, boot and shoe retailer, when asked if there was any combination among retailers, said that some years ago an attempt was made to fix prices, but it never got beyond the "moot" stage. There was at present an association, but it was only for the regulation of hours, and to deal with the half-holiday question. The cost of raw material was constantly increasing. He did not think New Zealand manufacturers had increased the prices more than they had been compelled to do by increases in the prices of material and labor. If an increase of wages was made next month, as was almost certain, it would be necessary to hand that increase on to the consumer. ,• $■ Peter Virtue, manager of a flourmilling company, said that during thirty years' experience he had never known a wheat ring or corner in the Dominion. He maintained that the cost of living had not increased. It was the higher standard of living. Daniel Joseph MeGowan, dealer in farm and dairy produce, said that during the past ten years the price of dairy produce had probably gone up by 15 per cent. This "was' due to the improvement in prices realised ,on the home and foreign markets. Other evidence was heard, and the commission adjourned.