AVERAGE WAGE-EARNER'S STRUGGLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 89, 12 October 1937, Page 8

AVERAGE WAGE-EARNER'S STRUGGLE

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l am a mother of two children —a boy and a girl—and as I sit and listen to talks over the air on high finance, I smile, with the smile of most mothers who struggle with the finance of the home. When Dad comes home on pay day and hands me what is left of his salary, after he has paid the usual taxes, he knows full well I have the hardest part to do. lam not a labourer's wife, but one of - the average wage-earners, who pay as they go and never run up accounts. To keep the children well I must give them good fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, meat, etc. Then they must be clothed suitably for college, and I must supply books and meet the frequent demand for small amounts of money, fees, etc. Then it is Dad's turn; he must wear clean, tidy shirts, ties, socks, and good suits (two per year), and the usual little sundries. Now it is my turn: I must dress neatly and tidily for the home and shopping. Then I must have one good dress tp mix with other women. On top of all this I must pay insurance on furniture and Dad's life. But the big item is the rent—two pounds five shillings for a three-roomed flat. This is the strangle point. Here is where the collar chokes, and this is where I am hoping our Government will put the knife in and cut the band before it is too late.

Most mothers, and some men, are

bearing this constant strain on their nerves. The man or woman who can shout gets some measure of relief, but the silent ones just, grin and bear it until something snaps and I need not tell you the rest. This is my cry, but when I think of people trying to bring up four, five, or six children, I positively weep for them, and get down on my knees aiid. thank Providence for all my blessings—the glorious sunshine, flower#, birds, trees, a good sober husband, health for myself and children.—l am, etc., A THANKFUL MOTHER.