COST OF LIVING.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLI, Issue 2, 14 July 1914, Page 7

COST OF LIVING.

THE MINISTER OF CUSTOMS ON DUTIES. NO INCREASE THIS YEAR. Replying to a deputation (Messrs Meyer and Phelan) from the joinery firms ami timber workers of the Dominion asking for a 50 per cent, duty on joinery at Wellington on Thursday, Mr Fisher said that nothing could be done so far as the tariff was concerned without bringing it before the House, and the questions referred to were not likely to be dealt with this year. By asking the Government to grant increased protection to various industries, and at the same time reduce the cost of living, the workers —he was not referring to the timber workers more than any other—were putting the Government in a cleft stick. Each particular trade was asking for increased protection up to and over 50 per cent., and in the case of the printing trade, for instance, to more than 100 per cent, on certain articles. They could not go on increasing the duty in this way and at the same time reduce the cost of living. "The two things," the Minister went on to say, "are irreconcilable. You must make up your minds that if you r.re going to improve the condition of the industries in this country by increasing the Customs duties with a view to obtaining an increase in wages, you are going to boost up the cost of living. It may be the fortune of the Labour party some day to get into power in this country, and, if so, it will find that it cannot put up protective duties and at the same time carry out its pledge to reduce the cost of living." The Cost of Living Commission, which sat in 1012, Mr Fisher added, had even gone :t long way in the direction of suggesting that we should gradually push our industries overboard. Mr Meyer said that many articles imported were no better than the New Zealand article.

llr Fisher: These imported goods you speak of have to come l.'!, 000 miles, and when they get here they have to jump a barrier of a 'M per cent. duty. Is that not a reasonable tariff.' Mr Meyer: It does not work out accordingly. M Fisher: Can you tell me why? Mr I'lielan: Cheaper labour is the main cause. Mr Fisher: The doors and sashes you speak of go into the ordinary homes, I suppose.' Mr Meyer: Yes, if they are cheaper than ours.

In reply to another remark Mr Fisher said that if they could get New Zealanders to buy New Zealand goods it would .get over much of the difficulty. In some cases New Zealand manufacturers, in order to sell their goods, had to put a foreign brand on them. Mr Phelan: That should be put a stop to.

Mr Fisher: Yes, but many employers and employees ask that it should not be stopped. Mr Meyer said that the employers and employees in the boot trade had practically agreed as to the advisability of putting the New Zealand brand on New Zealand boots.

Mr Fisher repeated that nothing could be'done this year in regard to the revision o,f the duty ou the articles mentioned.