COST OF LIVING.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1915, Page 6

COST OF LIVING.

PROTEST PROM RAILWAYMEX. NEW PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. The quarterly meeting of the New Plymouth bram-h of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants was held in the Railway Social Hall on Saturday, Mr. C. A. Edwards (chairman) presiding over a good attendance of members. The executive of the Society forwarded copiets of the Minister of Railways' written refusal to do anything to assist the members of the railway service to meet the present high cost of living, by granting an increase of pay Circulars were received from other branches of the Society strongly complaining of the attitude of the Department in this connection. It was unanimously resolved to endorse the action proposed to be taken bv other branches on this question. It was further resolved to emphatically protest against the apparent unwillingness of the Minister for Railways to do anything practical to assist members of the service, and especially the lower, paid men, in the present keen struggle for existence, and tiie executive are to be urged to make stronger representations to the Prime Minister, and the Minister for Railways.

The discussion that took place revealed strong resentment at the apathy and inaction of the Government on the important question of dealing with the present high cost of living. One speaKer was most insistent that any attempt to bring in conscription, without first dealing with the exploitation that is going on, would be a blunder of the gravest possible character.