COST OF LIVING COMMISSION

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11656, 11 June 1912, Page 4

COST OF LIVING COMMISSION

(Per Press Association.)

Christchurcli. June 10. Before the Cost of Living Commission, ,' -ix P J Delacour, manufacturing bootmaker stated that he did not know of any combination in regard to prices. The industry was protected in a certain sense,, but not very much, for the. colonial manufacturer. The cost oL production in the Dominion was very muck higher than in. other countries. English slippers could bo imported foils 9d, but in New Zealand they would not be able to make the uppers for that price. The Secretary.of the Coal and Blanket Fund stated that during the last ten years the net price of blankets had varied very little.. The number of persons who applied to the fund had gone up by 200 since the fund was established, and last year it totalled 530 or 540. Coal was going up in price in Christchurch steadily every year. The fund bought Australian coal. Foulyears ago coal cost the fund 27s 6d per ion, and it now cost 34s 4d. At one time when people went to the shops for bread they got it for 4d per 41b loaf, but now it was 6d or Potatoes at one time could be got for 5s 8d .per siack, but now they cost from 12s to 15s. Boots for children seven years to 12s years of age had increased in price. A strong boot that once was obtainable at 7s 6d now cost 10s or lis. The witness concurred with the opinion of previous witnesses that the increased cost of living was due to a more extravagant stylo of living. A four-roomed house that was at one time rented 'at 6s 6d was now rented at 7s or 8s per week, and it was shameful the way that people had to crowd into small houses. In nine cases out of ten the applicants stated that their distress, was due to the high cost of living. The number of young people (under 30 years of age) who applied for help was shocking. Very often there was hardly any furniture in their houses. The time-pay-ment system of getting furniture was almost a curse. There was more distress at present than' there was five or six years ago.

| Mrs A. E. Wilson gave a list of the weekly expenses of a family of a man, his wife, and three children, based on the average- of 12 households. It was as follows:—Rent, 12s Gd; meat and fisb. ss; bread, 2s; groceries. 8s 3d; milk. 2s 3d! lighting and firel. 3s Gel; clothing. 10s: vegetables, 3s 9d; newspapers. 6d: union, lodge, insurance 2stotal. £2 9s 9d. The average income of the-wage-earners in the households was under £3 per week. C. H. Elisor, a farmer in North Canterbury, made a statement, in the; course of which he expressed the opinion that tho rise in tho price of town lands had. increased: the cost of living, rent being a, "first charge on wages. During the past ten yours the value of Central'AVard of ? ,r o^ooo dl M? '""-eased bv £1.28/,323. and this had raised the cost of_hvmg and the cost of distribu+L° n " a? Cwemment had intensified the effect by building workmen's cottages m tho cities instead of putting them on producing areas. vri -n „Christclnirch, -Tune 11. Wheni the Cost of Living Commission, resumed tins morning counsel for two who esale firms stated that life principals declined to give evidence, they acting on the advice tendered in Dun-

The Chairman made no statement beyond an expression of regret at the attude taken up.