THE COST-OF-LIVING COURT

New Zealand Herald, Issue 17266, 16 September 1919, Page 6

THE COST-OF-LIVING COURT

I "A GBIM JOKE." | -'■ .BY-' ' ■ SIR JOHN FINDLAY, M.P. Sir John states that about 80 per cent, of Labour discontent is due to t' io 'Increased cost of living, and that the r/rereiga or guaranteed paper money has not the purchasing power the same as una" jr pre-war conditions and concludes with about ten inches en the contortions of an unfortunate sovereign. It doesn't require a professor of economics to give the reason why. Prior to the War the Dominion's man-power was about 300,000. Out of this 112,500, the riower of thfi la»d, enlisted; 17.000 have paid the supreme sacrifice and about 20,000 permanently incapacitated; and with no immigration we will be handicapped for a year or so. And does not this r.lso apply to the whole of the Empire? What has bimetallism to do with it? During the second year of the War, production of man's requirements was reduced materially and our armies and munitionworkers had adopted a higher standard of living, and twice as much used in the shape of clothing, boots, meat, butter, cheese, etc-, etc., which thousands upon thousands unfortunately were never accustomed to prior to war, and at the time the prices of those commodities were not a burden to the soldier and the munition-workers, as in the first instance the soldier didn't pay for them, and the munition workers didn't feel them owing to the enormous wages paid. Now the war has ceased the soldier is seeking employment and the munition workers' wages, for argument sake, are down to about 35 per cent, over pre-war rates, with his requirements about 60 to 60 per cent, higher, owing to a world's shortage and with a desire to live at the same status as during the war. The Empire's wheels of industry (with a tired people) are at a reduced speed for the want of raw material, and the products of the land are about two years be hind, and until they get back to normal, and with huge shortages as at present, the pinch will be telt. The workors rightly demand a higher standard of living, which creates a heavinr demand on production, and until it is overtaken, with the Continent on the vergo of starvation, how can prices recede? l f they do, wages must also, in a line with Japan and other Eastern countries. This it. a complex Question.

My dear people, as already intimated, the "law and profits" is now adjudicating on the price of two yards of flannel (a job line), and goodness knows what the "landed" cost per yard will be by the time it has finished; and probably a Royal Commission will be set up to adjudicate on the Board of Trade, to give employment prior to the elections-

Profits are now taxed 7s 6d in the £. For instance, an industrial concern with a working capital of JEIOO.GOO, paying 7 per cent., yielding £7000, is taxed 7s 6d in the £. which bring;s its earning power down to about 4} per cent. Who would be worried about industry when War Bonds are paying ih per cent., free from taxation? This is the question to be considered for the salvation of the Dominion.

CHAMPION now sums up, minus wig and Kown.Ladies and gentlemen of my jury, you have heard the evidence and in this instance I will adjudicate in an unbiased manner by ordering you not to retire, but accept my ruling, which is common sense.

and becoming a rare commodity, and to use only Champion Muscle-Raiser Flour and Standard Oatmeal, Rolled Oats, and Gruel Meal, still very much in evidence. You may now depart, with my biasing and the thanks of the Dominion, plus 8s per day, which is its maximum wage for justice and intelligence being opposed to any increase in the cost of living. (Loud applause.) Without prejudice, V Auckland.