PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1916, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

COST OF LIVING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington. Yesterday. After the T-lograpii Office closed Mr. H'alhot proceeded to quote figures to show that the cultivation of wheat was approaching a crisis, and if the production of cereals was to be continued some assistance would have to be given the growers. Undoubtedly the additional cost of living had adversely affected the worker, while the merchant and producer had substantially benefited. ■ Mr. Walker was opposed to an increase of the duty on wheat and Hour. Mr. Ell said that, while everything that might have been done had not been done to "educe the cost of living, when we compared the cost of living here with Hint in Australia or England there bad practically been no increase at all. We were lucky people to lie as well oft as we are. He did not agree with the war bonus to civil servants getting more than £215 per annum, but. strongly urged that the casuallaborei' in both public, mid private employ should be similarly treated. He would not support an amendment which was practically a vote of want oi confidence in the Xational (Government. Mr. I'avne severely censured the Government for failing to reduce the cost of living, and declared that if Mr. Brown could succeed in turning them out lie would be doing the greatest possible service to the Dominion. The division was taken at 3.40, when the amendment was rejected by 42 votes to ti. Mr. Massey, in reply, thanked Mr. Brown for giving the llouse an opportunity of declaring its emphatic opinion that the Xational Government had hot neglected to bring in legislation to reduce the cost of living. The time of the House had not been wasted, as the debate—the worst lie had ever heard in the House—had pricked the cost of living bubble. The amendment was such tluit no self-respecting Government could regard it as other than one of no confidence, which, if carried, would have compelled the Government to tender its resignation. Fortunately the House had takenicare that this was not lsecessary. Replying to criticism of the wheat purchases, he quoted reports from the statistician of the stocks on band, which

showed the necessity for the Government going to Canada for supplies. As events turned out they were not required, but if tliev had been wanted, what would have been said if the Government had not taken this, precaution. Speaking ol the future, lie could see plainly that in a few years our wheat supply would lie a diminishing quantity, unless something was done to encourage wheat-growing, and it would be a sorvy day for Xew Zealand if we had to depend upon Australia for our wheat. He deprecated attacks on the Board of Trade, and quoti, figures from statistics to show that tlil cost of living iu England had now riser 7.) per cent., yet there was less complaint in England than here. To combat the contention that the Government ought to li.v maximum prices, he alsc quoted trench and Roman history and the speech of Mr. Runciman, President ot the British Board of Trade, to show that such tampering with supplies had re-ulted in disaster. If the people could only read the opinions expressed durin; the course of the debate they could onl> ■come' to one conclusion—that the Government bad not failed in its duty. am. that, taking all iu.all, there was not much cause for complaint in the cosl of living. The motion tint the paper kid or the table be printed was carried, ant the House at 4.15 a.m.