THE COST OF LIVING.

Grey River Argus, 12 April 1912, Page 6

THE COST OF LIVING.

♦ OPINIONS OF MR LAURENSON. IFer Press Association.) WELLINGTON April 11. Interesting references to the cost of living and the milk supply problem were made by the Hon G. Laurenson (Minister fior. Labor), when addressing a timber workers deputation to-day. The Minister quoted a publication by Mr. Milwraith whd took as a basis the period from 1890 to 1899 when the fluctuations in the prices of foodstuffs were less than usual. ' Mr Laurenson had held the opinion, that the cost .of living had increased enormously, but it appeared that in that period the increase was only three per cent. The writer admitted the large rise in the prices of butter, meat, and bacon, but claimed a tremendous fall in the piices of sugar, kerosene, tea, tapioca, and rice, which balanced matters. He (Mr. Laurensin) though that ,he should make calculations concerning the cost, to a family. "The milk question," Mr. Laurenson continued, "ought to be dealt wi-ih by the municipalities. I know lam on thin ice now, but lam not afraid. The farmer will tell you that if he can get sevenpence a gallon throughout the year he is getting a good price. If you take a city like Wellington, assuming the population to be 80,000, the consumption of milk would average a quarter of a pint per head per day. If the milk is sold at lOd per gallon, there is 3d for distribution, wh'ch would give a very big revenue. Eight or ten milk carts will go !& each street njnder our competitive system (a silly one, I call it), but, under a municipal system, the cost of distribution would be reduced "by 75 per cent. I know the milk distributing fraternity will be up against me, but -liat doscn't matter."