COST OF LIVING

Otago Witness, Issue 3509, 14 June 1921, Page 22

COST OF LIVING

CONFE REN C E OP E NED. Vv IoI.LrNGIUN, June 10. Jo'presentatives vaimus laPiutr unions havii agre t t aci ept the itivitatmn ot tne Lnipi ;\Cia r to aet-'d a ue.eg.uion of hie to d;-< p< s.-il.h it:-, alia ol reducing tim C o.-c of iiu ,g. iomerei.ee eoniiueuceii this moi .m.g, . hen tiiere weri* i; b o . plot er=: Messrs -L- fjhaile-r Meston, A. C. Aiitche.l, it. MainL, . 11. B nnet, and i. Muut. Re-f--leseiit.ng tile labour umo: . were Alessl'S M- J- R< irdon, .1. M‘( - mbs, M.P., A. Pariuue, J. M'K,.-i.z;e t and E. Kennedy. Mr V\ estcri presiued. ihe conference decided that the discussion should no; be open to the pre-s. J lie conference was addres-ed by Air \V. G. vd Donald, cha rnntu of the Board of Trade, who. fo.lowing on the lines of general discussion, dealt with the fixing of the price of various neces -ary food articles, si, -h us 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 M'Donaid was thanked for his attendance, and for the valuable information he had placed before delegates. On th" motion of Air Weston, seconded Ly M.r M‘Combs. t j ie meorit g dei d- dto compliment the Board of Trade upon the very good work apparently done by it in the mt res, s c f t b L . general puiilic. A\ lien the conference resumed another lengthy di-cussion took place. Mr J. Al‘Combs, M.P., moved and Air M. J. Reardon seconded, that having heard Mr W- ,p- M'Donaid, chairman of the Board of trade, we. are -ati.sfi.-d that there can be no reduction in the price of bread, butter, and sugar during the currency of agreements. Further, that if all Government agreements in therewith wore broken, which is net oven suggested, the cost of living would not be reduced by a single penny piece, but on the contiary would increase. 1 he motion was put to tile meeting and lost. Mr Weston moved, and it was seconded by Air I. Alunt. that this conference has gone into the question of existing agreements in relation to the prices of flour, butter, and st'flfar. and having heard Mr M'Donaid. 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 bo no immediate reduction in prices. There is. however, every reason to expect that from the date of the termination o? these agreements respectmg butter, sugar, and flour—viz., at the end of August. September, and February respei (lively, there will be reductions in the prices of these commodities. Ihe motion was carried unanimously.