COST OF LIVING.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1918, Page 3

COST OF LIVING.

THIO GOVERNMENT'S INACTION. COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS IGNORED.

Some very pertinent observations on the question of cost of living and of Government neglect to deal with this problem were made by Mr W. A. Veiteh, member for Waganui, during his speech in the Address-in-Reply debate on Wednesday night. Air Veiteh said there appeared to be an idea abroad that the National Government must not be criticised, but that members must sit patientjy by like dummies. In the intere-sts of national unity, which the Government was supposed to stand for, he would have to charge the Government with having failed to promote this unity It had failed absolutely to prevent internal discord in the Dominion The National Government accordingly was becoming increasingly unpopular with the people. The reason was chat one section of the people was becoming increasingly prosperous at the expense of the other section The Prime Minister was to blame in this matter. Last session the Government had set up a Cost of Living Committee It was hoped that some of the recommendations from this committee would be adopted, but absolutely nothing bad been done. Yet Mi Massey had said this committee was one of the most intelligent committees that liad ever been set up in the House!

Dr. Thacker- "He was pulling your leg" (Laughter).

Mi Veiteh said the committee had dealt with its problems in a very earnest and careful manner, and no suggestions were made except those that were thought might be adopted reasonably by the Government. One of the reasons for the formation of the National Government was thai, the cost of Jiving problem might be effectively dealt with He wanted the Government to tell the House now why it had entered into this agreement and bad taken no action. He wanted to ask Mr Massey wliy iie had Fcf, up this Cost of Living Committee if he did not intend to deal with the problem it was to investigate If another r.uch committee were set up this" session he would refuse to act on it, because it would place him in an insincere and ludicrous position.

One of tlio recommendations of the committee hud been for the appointment of a Food Controller The National Government wished to emulate the Imperial Government, but failed to follow its example in appointing a Food Controller The appointment of such an official in New Zealand would be fn the drection of doing justice to the wageearners But the Government had ignored the suggestion, as it had ignored (he whole question of the cost of Hying. Another recommendation |)f the committee was for the reorganisation of the Board of Trade following on the appointment of a Food Controller This has been ignored Then he would like to know the reason why the Government had refused to do anything in connection with the committee's recommendation against trusts and combines. The recommendation was for the extension of the Commercial! Trusts Act to nil trades in the Dominion. It was only reasonable that the Government should be expected to do something in thft direction. Another recommendation, likewise ignored, was that all packets of goods (groceries and the like) should have their weight stamped thereon, so that, the public might be protected Even

if this little reform ; had been carried out it would 'have pleased the people Other requests were made, but, with the exception of the rent legislation, nothing had been done. Dr Thaekei 1 : "What about the. oysters planted in Cook Straits?" (Laughler).

Mr. 0. H. Poole (Auckland West! also protested against the Government'* inaction about the cost of living. As lie asreed with everythinj uttered by MrVeiteh he would leave it at that.