WILLING TO PAY.

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 13, 17 January 1922, Page 7

WILLING TO PAY.

The member for -Lyttelton (Mr. J. M'Combs) came forward with a. new proposal last night in the House of Representatives. He wished to know, if a member were willing to pay for the publication of a return, in which he was interested, and which had been prepared, the Prime Minister would furnish the return. He said a return had been prepared showing the cost of living for all groups, and not only the food groups. . The fall was considerably less than under the food groups. Mr. Massey: "Has that Iseen ordered by the House?"

Mr. M'Combs: "No, but it has been prepared, and has been refused to me." He asked whether, if he were willing to pay for printing this return, which was of great interest to every wageworker, the Government would agree to its; production.

The Prime Minister said what he would like to know was how Mr. M'Comb* knew that the return had been prebared. ■ Mr. MlCombs: "I have a note from the Minister of Internal Affairs about it." He a<Hed that when the' Government found the return against itself it did not print it. . Mr. Massey said that personally he knew nothing about the return, but Mr.. M'Combs's first suggestion, that a private member should be allowed to pay for . the printing could not be contemplated for one moment. It. was not the cost of printing that was the trouble Mr. M'Combs: "Iknow that is not the trouble." ' '

Mr. Massey: "It is the preparation which has to be considered."

Mr. M'Combs: "But it is already prepared."'