The Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1920. HIGH PRICES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20043, 4 September 1920, Page 8

The Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1920. HIGH PRICES.

The members of Parliament, having given their cordial approval to the Government's proposal to increase their salaries to £450, possibly £SOO, nro displaying a new interest in tho high cost of living. We do not object to the increase of salaries, because £SOO after all is not an excessive amount when ono considers what members have to put up with. It would have been more satisfactory, however, if Parliament had shown a genuine desire to grapplo with the supremo problem of the hour. Tho legislative achievement bo far as tho current session is concerned is not impressive, and according to Mr Massey the end should com© early in November. Apart from raising their own salaries, members of Parliament have agreed to enormous increases in the public services; the word " economy " has never been breathed. It has been made all too plain that tho cost of living is not going to be checked, and if the Government has any ideas on the subject it has carefully conceaJod them. Mr Massey stated last night that ho intended referring the question of butter prices to a Select Committee, and ho had no objection to allowing that committee to consider the general question of tho cost of living. The problem, of course, will not bo solved by fixing the price of butter, though wo believe that the publio would appreciate even -that small measure of protection. The suggestion that the JNew Zealand price should be governed by that obtained in tho famished markets of Europe is characteristic of the profiteer. The country nursed the dairying industry through its struggling years, and has spent thousands of pounds of public money on its development. The people have now a sound claim that they should not be unfairly exploited by producers whom they havo helped to their material prosperity. Tho fact that tho producers are perfectly willing to extract the lost farthing from the pooplo of New Zealand is not croditablo to them. Tho price of butter, however, is only an incidental item in the bill which is being presented, and it does not get down to rock bottom. Legislation may multiply palliatives, but the problem can only be solved if there is united action by Parliament and people. Production must increase, and individual nnd collective effort must be greater. There is no secret about the foot that in many directions there is a deliberate restriction in output, or a definite decline in tho amount of work performed. It does not require a great deal of acuteness to recognise that a restricted output in either goods or labour, combined with higher wages and shorter hours, is entirely inconsistent with a reduction in the cost of living. There must be stability in the conditions of labour, and work must be made worth while to the men who aro willing to perform it. On the other hand there is no room for a policy of irritation strikes and industrial disturbances on any and every pretext. National effort would effect a wonderful change, but there is no sign yet that an altruistio spirit is abroad.