THE WAGE EARNER.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1908, Page 10

THE WAGE EARNER.

COST OF LIVIKG. MR. F. G. BOLTON'S SUGGESTIONS. A notable feature of -Mr. Bolton's speech last week was the manner in which, he dealt with the question of tho increa&e in the cost of living. He regarded this as the greatest subject ho had to speak upon — in his judgment the most important point in his address. It was a question thai, materially affected everyone, young and old, rich and poor, married and singly. It was an economical and a most important question. He thought there was a remedy, and he would attempt to -suggest one. No doubt he would receive a certain amount of criticism, because any one who attempted a constructive policy always got criticism. His remedy was to give a man increased purchasing power for ftis wages — to make his wages of more value to him. In our present system of society each individual for the most part lived on things not produced by himself, but obtained by a double exchange ; that was to say, a sale followed 'by a purchase, and hence the question of value was fundamental. In, the case of the wage earner, the question of the value of his money wage — its purchasing power — was the essential thing. A high money-wage, if prices were high all round, was no advantage to him. High general prices were no advantage to the community. They only depreciated the exchange value of money. High wages did no necessarily imply high prices. High wages implied lower profits. Tn New Zealand, prices had reached a high level partly through the high prices obtained lor our exported primary products, reacting on rue New Zealand' market, and partly through the protective tariff, which wo had in New Zealand in the case of manufacturers ; and, in the case of rent, through extravagantly high values placed on the land ; and, lastly, as to the distribution of products through monopolies in tho shape of shipping "rings " and importers penalising the public. The present rate of wages m Wellington, although nominally high, was not really so ; and, in fact, in many cases was not a living wage by reason simply of the general .high prices and the consequent depreciation of the exchange value of money. Mr. Bolton then outlined a scheme under which the Government shbuld take up land and build workers' dwellings upon it. The land must not be more than ten minutes from the city by rail, and close to a railway station. The dweller in these houses should • be induced to make them his own by means of monthly payments, etc. This would cure the high rent question, and overcrowding in the city. He would remove the duties on primary products coming from whitelabour countries working under similar conditions as here. Reductions in freights should be brought about by encouraging competition, and if necessary by State-chartered or State-owned steamers. There should be remissions in Customs duties — further reductions on tho necessaries of life.