COST OF LIVING.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1916, Page 7

COST OF LIVING.

ACTION IN NEW PLYMOUTH. There was a attendance of representatives of the various Unions and Associations it Hie meeting in llie Town Hall last night, convened by the Amalgamated Society of llailujiy Servants, for the purpose of considering the advisability of urging tin.' Board of Trade to visit New Plymouth, and also to discuss the question uf taking stops to combat the present high ci,»t of living. There were present representatives irom (lie Sawmill Workers, Hotel Workers, Waterside Workers, General Laborers, Painters, Grocers and Tailors Unions. Knoinc-drivers and Cleaners' Association, A.S.R.S., Public Service Association, Post Office Association, and Educational Institute. Mr. S. G. Smith was voted to the chair. • In explaining the object of the meeting the chairman stated that since the A.S.R.S. had been promised a war honus of Is per day from April Ist (which, by the way, they had not received), the eost of living in Now Plymouth had further increased, and, after discussion, the Society decided to convene the present meeting. He then moved that the Prime Minister be asked to arrange for the Board of Trade to visit New Plymouth, and this was seconded by Mr. Lyons and carried. On the motion of Messrs. Parrott and liardgraves. it was resolved to appoint a sub-committee consisting of one member of each Union or Association, to tabulate evidence to place before the Board of Trade. The chairman then moved that the question of the high , cost of living be discussed. In doing so, he asked if any one could give an idea of the best method to adopt to effect some improvement. There were at least three methods that he could suggest; the establishment of a easli purchase association, or a cooperative concern; or, on the other hand, could any means be suggested that would urge the Government to do something effective. The resolution was carried. In the discussion which then took place, one speaker considered that the cash system should be adopted. O'hers llr.'i <:' it it w«s r.o use a :king the Civeminent to make a move, as the Government had already Icon asked several fines and had done nothing. They must do something fuf themselves. In the course of further discussion, speakers stated that the price of bread was, id tUarer here than in Wanganui, and that, according to statistics, the cost of living in New Plymouth was second dearest in New Zealand. All knew ho.v that eost had increased, but H was difficult to suggest a remedy. One speaker considered that a Cash Trading Association would not solve the difficulty, because it had been stated that in some localities the cash traders had put on 2."j per cent, before giving a 12J. per cent, discount, Co-oj /ation would prove the better scheme, but this required absolute loyally, as well as very strict supervision over th' management. The chairman remrked .hat while the Government stated they lould not solve the problem, they had 1 or proved condusively that they hsCL i riously tackled it. The power of uuit.ec action to effect progress had been vcco'\ised by trade unions, but they had ; ipped at a certain stage. Since tl.' inception of the Conciliation Council lid Arbitration Court, every award foi increased wages, save two, had benefit \ the employer more than the employee, because it had been followed by double the increase in the price of conv»: lities. In the fifteen vears prior to t) • war commodities had increased 3;' •; ecnt., whilst wages had only inert?; !1" per cent. Since tile war the po ni had become accentuated. The only si tion was for the people in every ecntr* to combine and appoint as members of men who would be in earues. The follov ng resolution wa* passed, on the moti 1 of the chairman: "That the suh-coi .nilto already appointed be empowered to collect data and report to a further mer-ting on the advisability of taking s' _)3 to either inaugurate a Cash Trading Association of a Co-operative I Society." j A vote of thanls to the chair terminated the meeting.