THE COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 274, 13 August 1920, Page 8

THE COST OF LIVING

NATIONAL BOYCOTT SUGGESTED TO EFFECT REDUCTION OF PRICES

The rising cost of living was one of tho matters discussed at' the Inst meetins of tho Wellington Warehouse Jimployees' Union, when a proposal to "call a conference of Labour bodies for the purpose of initiating a boycott of certain high-priced commodities was carried. The resolution passed by the meeting was as follows:—"That a. conference of trades unions, Labour, and kindred organisations be called at nn early date for the purpose of instituting a. system of boycott, on certain commodities with a view of effecting a reduction in the cost of living." Discu-jsing tho matter wiffi a Dominion reporter, Air. H. Dyson, secretary of the union, said it seemed that the workeis would have to take strong measures to prevent tho cost of living becoming much more burdensome than, it was at the present time.' "It is no consolation," he remarked, "to )te continually chasing the 'vicious circle' round. As things tire going now, tho next sitting of the Arbitration Court must, graiil another rise in wages all round, but 'this stale of things cannot go on indefinitely, and a limit will have to be reached. Tho present position not only affects tho organised workers, but all wage-earners niid salaried poople-rin some oases tho salaried man Is being hit worso than the organised workers—and if something is not done to relieve the situation the logical outcome must be that tho people will have to take action on their own behalf. Wo suggest that, for the time being, soinetliiifg in keeping with the spirit of tho resolution" parsed by our union should bo carried into effect, not only in Wellington, but throughout "the Dominion, and, perhaps, an organised campaign of this description will lead lo the development of some practical schemes of economy, such us have been adopted in other parte of the world, particularly in the .United Stales t of America." ' ' • : »