COST OF LIVING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 15 May 1922, Page 8

COST OF LIVING.

LABOUR'S DEMANDS,

I_Y TELEGRAPH •— PRIiSS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, May 13.

Labour has how made its protest tigainst the Arbitration Court's order reducing wages, and if an appeal, against the decision is not granted it is looking forward to retail prices be- j ing lowered to the extent of the wages | decreases. There is a good deal of discussion going on in trades union circles on this aspect of the matter. While acknowledgment is given to the fact that some manufacturing interests intend to make reductions in their price, lists, this is not considered to be sufficient. What Labour people are looking forward to is a reduction in prices of foodstuffs, and the suggestion is made that the Government should ask the Board of Trade to inquire whether the cost of food is being reduced in proportion to the drop in earnings ordered by the Arbitration Court. It is possible that representations may be made to the Government to have an inquiry ordered.