THE COST OF LIVING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2113, 12 February 1908, Page 1

THE COST OF LIVING.

THE PREMIER DISCUSSES THE SUBJECT.

In his .Auckland speech Sir Joseph AVard spoke on the above subject as /follows: The rise of prices in New Zealand and the cost of living must bo. admitted, hut it is not due 'to itho operation of tho Arbitration mid Conciliation Act,-for these i reasons: Firstly: If tho rise is duo to the riso in wages, then, assuming wages bad rison in the absence of the Act, the same increase in prices would follow. If wages .would not have rison in tlio absence of tho Ant, then .tho Act has at least secured iucroaso of wages to moot increased prices. Secondly : Increased cost of-living and prices is not’ confined to Now Zealand, hut is almost universal in progressive countries, Yu - example : The pneo of necessaries has boon increased in England -for some years past -and is much higher now than it was. 10 years ago. The proof of that .is this: England imported in .November, 1907. mil--IfoWfe';mibrb''-:fthn h :-‘ Novem-bor, 1906. But this increaso of two millions was entirely duo to the increased price of foodstuffs, mainly wheat'. In fact, England imported not- less wheat in November, 1906, but more wheat than she dill in November, 1907; but for this decreased quantity an absolutely increased, sum of £2,000,000 had to bo paid, and there is no Arbitration Court there. This means, of course, a dearer loaf, and along with othor commodities .makes the cost of living in England greator for tho -working classes.

A Voice: Living is dearer hero ■than it is in England. Tho Prime Minister: And tho conditions are very much better land happier hero than in England. (Applause.) ( , Sir Joseph wont on to say that in Germany, no doubt, wages had increased, but the increase in prices had been far more in proportion than the increase in wages. “1 have had the best- estimates that can be prepared by those who are interested in these matters,” lie added, “and the results show that while prices have increased in New Zealand, wages wild the material conditions of workers have been far more proportionately improved.” (Applause.) There seems no doubt that in the Old World, and possibly even in New Zealand, nrices have been abnormally increased *bv the operations of monopolists. 11l Germany -land monopoly is 1 one of the main causes of increased iurfees. These sources of increased mices the .Government has set itself to check, and will, with all the means in its newer prevent monopolies m ■whatever .place they arise and tor whatever purpose they are created, when it is found to bo to the m>nera detriment of our people and abso tc freedom of trade. Our workers.must admit that -while they have much yet to ask, they are better oft in every material respect than their fellowworkers in other lands. (Applause.)