COST OF LIVING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15542, 10 June 1921, Page 7

COST OF LIVING.

ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE

(Special to the Herald.) WELLINGTON, tin’s day. Arising out of the suggestion during the .recent Arbitration Court discussion of the cost of living bonus, the New Zealand Employers’ Association has succeeded in organising a round-table discussion between five representative employers and the same number of trade union leaders upon the methods of securing a reduction in the cost of living, which it was thought, in a formal discussion on the prices of necessary articles, such as butter, s'ugar, and flour, would enable all avenues leading to a reduction to be explored. Even if it was found that the problem was not capable of immediate solution, such a conference would bring both sides together and enable one to appreciate the sincerity of the purpose of the other. Informal representations were made to the. Wellington Trades and Labor Council. which will appoint representatives, and a conference will probably be held to-dav. Labor leaders here cannot see how anything effective can result from the discussion, but they are quite willing to make a trial. Possibly’, they suggest, the joint forces might endeavor to induce the Government to let New Zealanders have New Zealand butter at a London parity’, Is 9d per lb, hut they are dubious. (Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, last night

Labor jepresentatives met at the Trades Hall to discuss the suggestion from the Employers’ Federation that there should ,he a conference between employers and employees to discuss the question of the cost of living, particularly’ in respect to such items as bread, meat, butter, and sugar. After discussion it was agreed to meet the ernuloyers in conference to-morrow. Following are the delegates. Employers: T. S. Weston (president of the Employers’ Federation), A. C. Mitchell (vice-president), 11. A. Mainland, W. 11. Bennett, T. Munt. Employees’ delegates: M. J. Reardon, J. McCombs, M.P., A. Parlane, J. McKenzie, and E. Kennedy’. Considerable, interest is being shown in the conference, and the hope is generally expressed that it may lead to a further round-table conference to discuss various subjects.