PRICES AND WAGES.

Evening Star, Issue 17536, 16 December 1920, Page 10

PRICES AND WAGES.

TO THIS EDITOR. Sir, —I think Mr Pryor makes a mistake when he says that the New Zealander is better off than he was “ prior” to 1914. Just look at the price of coal, kerosene, beef: even sausages are up from 3d to 6d’ which is 100 per cent.. Take coal, Kaitaugata coal. Miners got, I think, 3d per ton more in 1914 or 1915, and it cost my wife 3d per bag more. How does that work out; Take another item; “Prior” to 1915 you could get working boots for 10s, 5d to 18s 6d. What is the price of them now ? Men’s caps were Is 6d each: what is the price now ?—anything from 3s 6d to 19s 6d, so one firm advertised a while ago. If you want a good pair of working trousers—they used to be from 8s 6d to 24 s at one of our shopkeeper’s in George street. What is the price now? Prior to the war 14s to £2 per pair. „And oh! what about the prices of hats, ladies’ blouses, etc. ? I am getting wild when I think. Prior to the war New Zealand, with all its irregularities of work, was a kind of haven; but it is just going to be. like all other countries, when our commodities are partly ruled by outside trading concerns.—l ani, etc.. Eggs and Butter. December 1. [This letter was held over while the discussion which suggested it was proceeding before the Arbitration Court.]