THE COST OF LIVING

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 20, 25 January 1938, Page 8

THE COST OF LIVING

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —In view of the introduction of the 40-hour week I was surprised to find that Government offices have lately been closed for their annual picnics and I understand that on Wednesday the wharf labourers, carters, etc., also have their picnic. In regard to the former, we now have Government servants working 32 hours for a full week's pay quite apart from the well-known fact 'that a large number get extra days off for sports meetings of various kinds.

On Wednesday will be seen several million pounds' worth of ships together with several millions more pounds' worth of wharves, machinery, etc., lying- idle, and I do not suppose that even a small percentage of the people realise that this waste is passed on in extra costs to the buying public, including the men themselves.' The men are quite satisfied that they are on the box seat and the shipowners and the importers are also quite unconcerned, as they can pass the costs on without much trouble. The fact that import freight costs have never been higher is apparently a matter of little importance to anyone and the only thing that will bring things to a head is the inability of the buying public to foot the bill, because even the Government must realise the vicious circle cannot go on for ever.—l am, etc., ALPHA. [It should be pointed out that the waterside picnic day is provided for by award. Hours in the clerical branches of the Public Service are now slightly less than 38 a week.]