THE COST OF LIVING.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1917, Page 5

THE COST OF LIVING.

A PROTEST BY WORKER MR. MASSEY'S REPLY. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Wellington, Last Night. A public meeting was held at tto Town Hall tq-night, to protest against the cost of living. Mr. i. Read (president of the Trades and Labor Council) presided, and other speakers were Menri w. Maddiaon, L. Glover, J. McOombi M.P. A resolution was passed tenant» mously: "That this meeting of Welling'* ton citizens views with alarm the continued increase in the cost of liv&g, and looks upon it aB nothing less than & national calamity, making, as it does, (or the inefficiency and physical degeneration of not only the present, but also of future generations of workers, and OilU upon the Government to make such reductions in the cost of living, or to so increase wages, that the efficiency of tile workers and the rising generation of workers, may be assured and maintained.

The fathering afterwards marched oo to Parliament to put the views before " tlie Prime Minister. The resolution was read, to Mr. Massey, and Messrs Bead, Bruce and Maddison spoke on the subject.

Replying, Mr. Massey said the cost of living in New Zealand was lower than in any other portion of the Empire. 'ln-' creases in the cost of living appeared unavoidable in times of war. It was not true that the Government had neglected the subject;,it had given great attention to the matter, and succeeded in keeping down prices in some directions. Thd workers should remember it was only by the maintenance of exports that it possible to maintain wages. The Ooveminent found it necessary to impost very heavy taxation, but the only it««u of that taxation affecting tjte workirt was the tea tax. He thought the Go** eminent ought to be congratulated 01 having kept the country prosperous in conditions of unexampled difficulty. Mr. Massey was subjected to continuous interruptions, and he retired amidst an uproar. Mr P. C. Webb then addressed the gathering, and told them he had alwayi found it beet to give a fair hearing to the other side. The gathering then dls-. persed.