REDUCING COST OF LIVING

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1931, Page 9

REDUCING COST OF LIVING

ALIGNMENT WITH WAGES .CUT WIDE INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE STATEMENT ISSUED BY MINISTER. A By Telegriiph.-—Press Association. Welliiigtoib Night. . A declaration that the Government would carry out a policy bringing the cost of living into alignment with the reduction made in wages was made by the HOn. P. A. de la Pertelle, Minister of Industries arid Commerce, td-day. The department, he said; would make extensive investigations into the price/? charged for the necessities of life and would see that the consuming public was riot exploited. The “cut ’ in vvfiges, ho said, had. naturally reduced tile Overhead charges iri industry as Well as the spending power of the public and it was essential a new level should be established as quickly as, possible. Already figures supplied by the DoVefnnient Statistician. showed there had been a steady leeline in the cost of both food and clothing and even of rent. These figures would be closely scrutinised from now on and if it was considered the public was not getting the benefit of ‘the reduction in costs steps would certainly be taken to see that a comprehensive inquiry was instituted immediately. The Government was anxious there slibuld be no reduction in the wage-earners’ purchasing power. The Minister added lie was pleased to see tile efforts being Inade to educate •New Zealanders to give preference to goods manufactured in their own 1 country.