COST OF LIVING COMMISSION.

West Coast Times, 22 June 1912, Page 3

COST OF LIVING COMMISSION.

N. Z. TELEGRAMS.

FARMERS’ PROTEST,

Ll'f:r. PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT. J HAWERA, June 21. ‘ The Taranaki Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday passed a resolution protesting against tho farcical manner in which evidence is taken before the Cost of Livng Comnvssion, both in giving reasonable facility for country evidence, and sitting only in tho larger centres, and that the members for tho district bo, asked. t> brng a protest before the' .House, a copy of the resolution to be sent to tho Taranaki members of Parliament and the Dominion .Executive.

VARIETY OF STATEMENTS

AUCKLAND, June 21. At the Cost of Living Commission to-day.

Thos. Miller, boot and shoe retailor, when asked if there was any combination among retailers, said that some years ago an attempt was made to lix the, prices, but it never got beyond the “moot” stage. There was at present an Association, but it was only for the regulation of hours, and to deal with the half holiday question. Tbs cost of raw material was constantly increasing, biit ho did not think the Now Zealand manufacturers had increased their prices more than they hid ho on compelled to do. by the incieaso in the prices of material and labour. If an increase of wages wore made next month, as as almost certain, it would bo accessary to hand that increase on to the consumer. Peter Virtue, manager of a flour milling company, said that during thirty years’ experience ho had never known of a v.heat ring or corner in the Dominion, lie maintained that the cosc cl' living had not increased. It was the higher standard of living. Daniel Joseph McGowcn, dealer in faint find dairy produce, said that during the past ten years the price, of dairy produce had probably gone up 15 P?x cent. This was duo to an improvement in the prices realised by homo and foreign markets.

Other evidence was hoard and the Commission adjourned.