THE COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 31, 31 October 1917, Page 6

THE COST OF LIVING

Sir,—l have just seen a etatement in Hansard, compiled by the Government Statistician, showing tho increased cost during the war period of various articles of food, amongst 'them bread and meat, which was Hansardised to show how the consumers had been exploited by that terrible fellow the farmer. I. have always contended that the farmer has not exploited anybody, but has accepted reduced prices for the,bulk of his produce and auction prices for the remainder, and is not, therefore, So blameworthy as many politicians try to make him. It is, however, capable of demonstration that tho workingman is piling the cost upon himself and tho farmer as well, .through the Arbitration Court, as awards made since the war began have increased tho cost of both bread and meat quite 20 per cent.,..thereby lessening the purchasing powecs-of the sovereign by 4s. in the £1 in these two commodities.

In the ease of bread, the Arbitration Court award of a half daylight working day has resulted in no other alteration in'tho working conditions than an addition of from 50 to 100 per cent, in the wage of the operative bakers, who now draw from .El 15s. to £6 per week, as they are entitled to overtime waje for half tho ordinary hours of work. This, with substantial additions to cost of delivery, accounts for an increased price of about 2d. per 41b. loaf. In regard to the increase in the price of butcher's meat since the commencement of the war, the abolition of the once familiar butcher boy, whose work is now performed by a man, at perhaps three times the cost, is not unimportant factor in the , additional cost of bandling, the reason being (hat a boy's wage is not defined ia the award, and lie must therefore draw the pay of a man. Increased cost of delivery operates here as well as in the bakery iradc, and it is computed that the butchers' trade expenses have been augmented since the war commenced by quite 20 per cent., or lid. per lb. on meat handled, in rages to workmen.

I see it stated that the purchasing power of the sovereign is reduced by 6s. or 75.. and if the Arbitration Act is responsible for 4s. in' tho £1, or more than THilf the whole, in thijfease of bread and meat, the result must be.the same, ill a'greater or less degree, in other commodities as well. It seems, therefore, that the farmer is not responsible for all the exploitation we read so much about in the Parliamentary reports, but now pay little heed to them. It is a pity that some members of ParHameul: do not make themselves better acquainted with the true state of affairs. —I am, etc., FARMER. October 26.