COST OF LIVING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11251, 1 July 1922, Page 15

COST OF LIVING

A REDUCTION CLAIMED PRIME MINISTER AND LABOUR MEMBERS AT VARIANCE. SOME LIVELY EXCHANGES. Replying in the House of Representatives yesterday to the amendment, to the Imprest Supply Bill, moved by Mr Holland, the Primp Minister ventured to say that there was not a soul in the whole of New Zealand who did not know that there had been a reduction in the cost of living. Mr Holland: I said that there had been no reduction in the ratio of the Public Service cut. I sard it very clearly. I will let you have my .‘‘Hansard” notes. Mr Massey: I know what that means. Mr Holland : I will let you have my uncorrected "Hansard" notes. Mr Massey: I know what "Hansard” notes are. Mr Holland: You aTe malting reflections on tho "Hansard" staff. Mr Massey: No; I am making reflections on the ha Int of members of making one speech in tho House and putting another in "Hansard." He quoted a return supplied by Col. Esson (Seoretary to the Treasury), Sir P. VersOhaffelt (Assistant Public Service Commissioner), and Mr Malcolm Eraser (Government Statistician) stating that the three food groups cost of living figure for March. 1920, was 60 points and that of July, 1920, 62 points higher than that of July, 191 *. while that of May, 1922, was 45 points above that of July 1914. So that it had fallen from 62 points to 45 points. Mr Holland: That is tho food groups. What about clothing and rent? Mr Mensey: We have always based our calculations in this country on the food groups. "NOT SUPPRESSING JUDGE'S I REPORT." Mr J. McCombe (Lyttelton): Road the Arbitration Court judge’s report. Mr Massey: I core nothing for the j udge s report. Mr McCombs; That is why you are suppressing it. -Mr Massey; I am not suppressing it. Mr McCombs: You are. - The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker I must ask. you to protect mo from’the unruly, vile, and impertinent interrap. tione of the hon. member. The Speaker: Order, order. Mr Massey said that he would bring tho report down m the course of a dav or two- J Mr MeCombs: Lot us have the report you have now. * M , r Massey: There is only one report that I know of. Mr McCombs: You have asked for a second. Mr Massey denied this. THE RAILWAY POSITION. Referring to the Railwav Depart, ment s excess of revenue over expedi. lure in April and May, he stated that, unfortunately, that did not show the whole position. One of the Government a difficulties was that it was still making a eenous loss in connection with tho railways. A Liberal member: The railway rates are too high. Mr Massey: Yes; and I hope the time will soon come when we can reduce therm

Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South): Use New Zealaud coal. Mr M issey ; Yes, when we can get a sufficient supply. If we cannot, 1 will get it from outside. Mr Howard: The miners are idle now. Mr Maseey: Because of the work of the agitators. He got tired, he added, of the Railway Department reporting to him insufficient stocks of coaf, ana Cabinet decided to get it from outside. Mr Holland: At what price? Mr Massey: It cost us Jt*4 5s for Welsh coal. Mr Holland: Yes; but what about the prices of Japanese coal and American coal. Mr Massey: The hon. gentleman can have them if he wants them.