THE COST OF LIVING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16581, 3 July 1917, Page 6

THE COST OF LIVING.

RAILWAY OFFICERS' COMPLAINT. A MBETDfO of the Auckland branch of -" the Railway Officers Institute was held * on Saturday evening to discuss the question of the cost of living as it afreets ,Vi" railway servants.

A letter was received from the Executive Committee, advising the branch that Sir James Allen, as Acting-Prime Minis- : '% <ter, had informed the State Servants : Association that he regretted -that the M Government was unable to afford any relief. si/

Members generally expressed disappoint- && ment at this decision,: it being pointed;* out that the rapid increase in the pries of essential commoditias entailed considerable hardship on the lower-paid officers and servants of the State. The oninion was expressed that the Government should deal with the problem of the cost of living, in order that all of the community might benefit. "To this ' H end the State servants of the Dominion j desired public support. |«§ The following resolutions were unani- jj-a mously carried-.— "That the branch strongly endorses the action taken by the executive in co-operating with the council ; V of the State Servants Association in approaching the Government for assistance,, in the matter of the present high cost of ; living, and pledges its support by every I Eossible means." ■ (2) "That the branch" > eartily accords its support to the action 1 of the Wellington branch in emphasising '■) to the executive the imperative need of strong action for relief, and that, should :'■', the Government be unable to see its way clear to afford relief, the institute will he.- S reluctantly compelled to ask for a commensurate and immediate increase ■ TiigS salaries." p|| It was resolved that copies of the resolutions should be sent to local members | of Parliament. sp