THE COST OF LIVING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16782, 25 August 1916, Page 5

THE COST OF LIVING

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS,

MR PRETYMAk'S REPLY

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, August 23. In the House of Commons, Mr Pretyman, Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, replying in the debate on food prices, said the matter could not be isolated from the general conduct of the war. It was only a part of the war problem, and was not of the first importance. It nas largely one of shipping, and the claims on shipping were many and conflicting. The Government was daily negotiating with different interests for the purpose of keeping down prices. It "was calculated that our soldiers' consumption was 50 per cent, higher than ordinary consumption in civilian life. That alone was sufficient to account for a considerable increase in prices. The evil was increased by the simultaneous lowering of supplies by the withdrawal of labour from the land. These factors were beyond Government control. The Government practically controlled shipping, and steps were being taken to prevent the cornering of commodities.

ADVANCES IX AMERICA,

RISE IN FOODSTUFFS.

WASHINGTON, August 23. The cost of li\ing in America during thf past \ear has increased by 30 to 50 per cent., according to locality. In New York the rise is 25 per cent. Chkago tinned foods have risen 100 per cent., beef and pork 23 per cent., flour 15 per cent., fresh \cgetables from 10 to 100 per cent.