COST OF LIVING COMMISSION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 11 June 1912, Page 6

COST OF LIVING COMMISSION.

AT CHRISTCHURCH

8Y TEIiEGRAPH—PBEBS ASSOCIATION,

CHRISTCHURCH, June 10. The Cost of Living Commission opened its Christchurch sittings this morning.

W. Bowater, timber merchant, said in past years a rougher class of timber was used than to-day, when there was better classification. He did not know ■of any ring in the business. Wages had increased 15 or 20 per cent., and timber ATas further from the railroads. These facts, with the improvement in the public taste, accounted for the increase of prices.

F. Brittain gave evidence concerning Te Puke, where he said traders had a monopoly, the cost of transit was heavy, the roads were neglected, the people apathetic and thosands of acres unproductive.

H. Bishop, land agent, said the increase in population and prosperity had caused substantial increases in land values near Christchurch, and no system of rating could stop the rise "in values.