ROUND THE TABLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10924, 11 June 1921, Page 6

ROUND THE TABLE

THE COST OF LIVING EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES MEET IN CONFERENCE. “A RAY OF LIGHT.” A cost-of-living conference between representatives of employers and employees was held yesterday in the board room of the Employers’ Federation. Those present representing the employers were: Messrs T. Shailer Weston, A. C. Mitchell, W. H. Bennett, H. Mainland and T. Munt. The employees were represented by Messrs M. J. Reardon, J. McCombs, M.P., E. Kennedy, A. Parlane, and J. McKenzie. The pressmen who were present were informed before the proceedings began that the conference would be held privately. AN OFFICIAL REPORT. Subsequently it was reported that Mr Weston presided, and that the conference was addressed by Mr W. G. McDonald (chairman of the Board of Trade), who, following on the lines of the general discussion, dealt with the fixing of the price of various necessary food articles, such as bread and butter. Various aspects of the cost-of-living question were discussed at great length, and after four hours the conference adjourned without having arrived at any definite conclusions. Mr McDonald was thanked for his attendance, and for the valuable information he had placed before the delegates. On the motion of Mr Weston, who was seconded by Mr McCombs, the meeting decided to compliment the Board of Trade upon the very good work apparently done by it in the interests of the general public. A RESOLUTION ADOPTED. The conference concluded late in the afternoon, and the following report was handed out: — Mr J. McCombs, M.P., moved, seconded by Mr M. J. Reardon :—“That, having heard Mr W. Gf. McDonald, chairman, of the Board of Trade, we are satisfied that there can be no reduction in the price of bread, butter and sugar during the currency of the agreements ; and, ; further, that if all the Government agreements in connection therewith were broken, which is not even suggested, the cost of living would not be reduced by a single penny piece, but on the contrary would increase.” The motion, on being put to the meeting, was lost. Mr Weston moved, seconded by Mr T. Munt:—‘"That this conference has feone into the question of the existing agreements in relation to the-prices of flour, butter and sugar, and, having heard Mr W. G. McDonald, chairman of the Board of Trade, on the question, is satisfied that even if such agreements were cancelled at the present time and a free market established, there would be no immediate reduction in prices. There is, however, every reason to expect that from the date of the termination of these agreements regarding butter, sugar and flour, viz., the end of August, September and February respectively, there will be reductions in the prices of these commodities.” * This motion was carried unanimously.

“QUITE A GOOD RAY OF LIGHT.” Spoken to after the conference, the chairman said he would not care to make a statement, “but,” he added, “the conference has shown that there is quite a good ray of light coming