COST OF LIVING.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1919, Page 5

COST OF LIVING.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT AND ARBITRATION COURT (Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Feb. 24. The relative responsibilities of the Government and Arbitration Court in dealing with the coat of living formed a subject of discission before tlie Court in Wellington to-day. Mr. M. J. Reardon, appearing for the Wellington coachbuilders, stated that he proposed to call the Government Statistician to givt evidence regarding the increase in prices and the decline in the value of the sovereign. Mr. Justice Stringer: You want to supplement his statistics? Mr. Reardon: I want to get the information that he can give us as applied to this particular ease. We have his general statistical statements, but I want if possible to get information having practical application to this case. The case was set down for hearing on Wednesday.

Mr. Reardon mentioned then that he proposed to call the Government Statistician also in the iron and brass moulders' dispute. The Trades and Labor Council had authorised him to ask the Government Statistician to prepare a statement covering the position of all the unions affiliated with the council. "It is clqar," said Mr. Reardon, "that Parliament has delegated its powers to the Arbitration Court in the matter of the cost of living." Mr. Justice Stringer: I do not know what Parliament meant by that Act. Parliament first of all seemed to assume that wages should go up in sympathy with the increased cost of living; then it leaves us where, we were before, I think. Mr. Reardon: I think the examination of the cost of living is jnandatory upon the court now. In Dunedin the court expressed the view that it was Parliament's duty to examine the cost of living. Mr. Justice Stringer: What we said was that it was futile tc increase wages in sympathy with the increased cost of living, but the cost of living inevitably soared higher with the increase in wages. The only remedy was for the Government to stop the increase in the cost of living. Mr. Reardon: The Government has apparently decided the other way—that it should board out its responsibilities. (Laughter.) The responsibility has fallen upon the Arbitration Court. The Act says that "The court shall take into consideration," etc.

Mr. Justice Stringer: We cannot control the increasing cost of living. The granting of increased wages does not seem to achieve the object. It leaves Iho worker very much where lie was before Mr. Reardon: Since Parliament will not do its duty, I think the court must do what has been imposed upon it by Parliament. Mr. Justice Stringer: Go on increasing wages in sympathy with prices until something breakß? Mr. Reardon: Yes, until something breaks, or until Parliament sees the futility of its legislation. His Honor: Well, it is an extraordinary position. The moulders' dispute also was get. down for Wednesday.