COST OF LIVING.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1921, Page 4

COST OF LIVING.

MEANS OF REDUCTION SOUGHT NO IMMEDIATE PROSPECTS FALL EXPECTED SOON. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The conference between representatives of the Employers’ Federation and the Labor unions to discuss the possibility of reducing the cost of living opened to-day. The discussion is being held privately. A motion congratulating the Board of Trade on its apparent good* work in the interests of the public was agreed to. Mr. W. G. McDonald, chairman of tha Board of Trade, attended. He spoke on the question of fixing the prices of various articles, such as bread, butter, etc. Various aspects of the cost of living were discussed and after four hours the conference adjourned, no definite cone elusion having been arrived at. Another discussion ensued when the conference resumed • and the following motion was passed: “That 1 having heard Mr. McDonald on the agreements rq flour, butter and sugar the conference is satisfied that even if such agreements were cancelled at the present time and a free market established there would be no immediate reduction in prices! there was, however, every reason to exr pect that from the date of the termination of these agreements regarding butter, sugar, flour, viz., the end of August/ September and February respectively there would be a reduction in prices oij these commodities.”