LIVING STANDARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 150, 27 June 1934, Page 5

LIVING STANDARD.

COSTS IN ENGLAND.

NEW ZEALAND COMPARISONS

CHEAP CLOTHES AND TRAVEL.

An interesting comparison of living costs in England and New Zealand was made by Dr. W. Brydcn in an address to the Workers' Educational Association in Christchurcli. From his experienced (states."The Press"), Dr. Bryden found that while food was cheaper in New Zealand, clothes and travel were cheaper in England. Meat was regarded more as a delicacy in England than in Xew Zealand, said Dr. Brydcn. This was particularly so in Scotland, where it was a treat to be enjoyed on Sundays. Roughly the price of English or Scottish mutton was 1/10 a pound, lamb 2/4 a pound, chops Sd to 10d each, beef 1/S a pound, and pork 2/fl a pound. Cooked meats were even more expensive. Cooked ha in cost 3/8 a. pound, and pork which had been cooked and stuffed cost 4/ a pound. This explained why meat was not an everyday item in lodjrings where a reasonable rate was paid. Vegetables also were dear, and ho noticed that they were seldom served during the week, with the possible exception of swedes or turnips. On Sundays cauliflower or cabbage was served. This was understandable when it was realised that cauliflowers were seldom less than 1/0 each and cabbages 1/4 each. Lettuces cost (id to 9d each. He had seen peaches at 1/6 each in a shop window in Glasgow. Butter, said Dr. Bryden. was just as cheap in England as in New Zealand, and fish was very cheap and very good. Potted meats such as brawn were fairly cheap, but kidneys were worth Od each. The relatively low cost of clothes and shoes made up for the high-cost of food. Tn an old pair of flannels and a coat of Harris tweed a man was dressed adequately for six days of the week. The cheapness of travel was another compensation. It was possible to go SOO miles in a train for £3 or a little more, and 000 miles in a bus for slightly more than £2. Week-end train excursions made travelling very cheap.