THE COST OF LIVING.

Southland Times, Issue 17014, 12 April 1912, Page 5

THE COST OF LIVING.

SOCIALISTIC IDEALS. PROPOUNDED BY NEW MINISTER. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON', April 11. Interesting references to cost of living and the milk supply problem were made by the Hon. George Laurenson, Minister for Labour, when addressing a timber workers' deputation to-day. The Minister quoted a publication by Mr Milraith. who took as a basis the period from 1890 to 1399, when the fluctuations in the prices of food stuffs were less than usual. Mr Laurenson had held that the cost of living had increased enormously; but it appeared that in that period the increase was only three per cent. The writer admitted the large rises in the price of butter, meat, and bacon: but claimed a tremendous fall In the. prices of sugar, kerosene, tea, tapioca, and rice, which balanced matters. He (Mr Laurenson) said that he should make calculations concerning the cost to a family. "The milk question," Mr Laurenson continued, "ought to be dealt with by municipalities. 1 know I am on thin ice now: but I am not afraid. The farmer will tell you that if ho can get sevenpence a gallon throughout the year he is getting a good price. If you take a city like Wellington, assuming the population to be 80,000. the consumption of milk would average a quarter of a pint per day. If the milk is sold at lid per gallon there is 3d for distribution, which would give a very big revenue. Eight or ten milk carts will go to each street under our competitive system—a silly one I call it: but tinder a municipal system the cost of distribution would be reduced by 73 per cent. I know the milk distributing fraternity will bo up against me; but that docs not matter.”