HIGH COST OF LIVING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 59, 10 March 1944, Page 4

HIGH COST OF LIVING

WANGANUI MEETING VOICES PROTEST PRESENT SYSTEM OPPOSED Protests against the high cost of living were voiced by speakers at a public meeting, held last night in Victoria Hall. The following resolution was carried unanimously:— "That the Government cannot hope to control rising costs of living, nor can they carry out post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation within the framework of the present system." Mr. Ivan Brown presided over an attendance of about 30. "This meeting has been called by a cross-section of those who are Interested in the position we are in today,” said Mr. Brown, in opening the meeting. He hoped that night’s meeting would be followed by other meetings of protest against the high cost of living. Mrs. M. A. Archibald, president of the Wanganui Housewives’ Union, said the matter of the cost of living had been under consideration for a long time by the organisation she represented. Last May a protest had been made in Wanganui against the nrice of vegetables, which were so essential for families, and good had resulted. Referring to household necessities, Mrs. Archibald said prices had soared beyond the reach of the woman with a family. She quoted sheets being priced at 46s 6d a pair. The formation of electoral associaj tions throughout New Zealand was advocated by Mr. R. O. C. Marks, as a means of making the will of the people known to Parliament. He said people should do their own organising. Each one present at the rheeting should get another nine others to join up,‘and thus a soiid membership could be built up. The association would be outside the political sphere and would be for the common good of the people. When meetings of importance relating to the good of the community were being held it would be members’ duty to attend in large numbers and thus impress upon members of Parliament that their wishes on vital matters were not to be flouted. "We want, to find the causes of the high cost of living and not be satisfied with a mere recital of price rises," said Mr. S. Duffy. They had not met that, night to get something off each article of food, but to discuss a question which he considered was a vital element of justice. He said the cost of living governed a wide range and included education, thought, and freedom of action. The more money spent in food the less one had for the cultural things of life. He said the cost of living governed the level of civilisation. A housewife to-day cannot buy enough goods to run her home normally because of soaring prices. She buys less than the normal amount of goods, yet consumes all her income.

The financial burden was referred to by Mr. Duffy. He said- interest was still being naid for the Maori wars and Waterloo. He criticised both the income tax and sales tax, which, he said, were prime factors in the cost of living. People who did not think things out for themselves were inclined to maintain they were just and necessary. They were not, he declared.