THE COST OF LIVING.

Evening Star, Issue 22892, 25 February 1938, Page 2

THE COST OF LIVING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir.—lt is indeed refreshing to see that there are at least some realists m our midst. Your correspondent Realist” has exactly summed up the position as I see it, and as others capable of viewing the position must also see it. Far too many misleading statements .are contributed either by overseas visitors, who are quick to sense that the password to our country is flattery,, or by the many amongst us who are lulled into complacency by these flattering statements uttered in parrot-like fa'shion concerning the often grossly overrated amenities of our Dominion. The writer of this letter is more concerned at the moment with trying to battle against the horrible thought, which seems only too evident, that this country has already entered another depression; certainly there is no evidence to show that the prosperity we have heard so much about is still with us, whilst there is no reason to believe that it is not still with Great Britain and the other countries mentioned by “ Realist.” The mere suggestion that a salary of £4OO in New Zealand can in any way be compared with a salary of the like amount in Great Britain shows the unfortunate ignorance of Mrs Herbert, “Realist” has touched the kernel of the nut by drawing attention to the higher “ purchasing power in Great Britain. It is purchasing and not spendin"- power that matters to most of us. Cost of living has undoubtedly soared since this Government took office. I hand it to them for the efforts they have made to help the worker and the evidence of their sincerity of purpose, but I know that 1 shall have many, many adherents amongst the huge class who, though workers, do not come into this category in so far as the effects of the new legislation go. The great middle class of New Zealand who are unfortunate enough to have to wear a collar and tie and perhaps to occupy an executive position in order to carry on the week’s toil of five and a-half days, must grin and bear this extra cost without additional increments to buy that lid steak and flitch of bacon. —I am, etc., H. Matthews. . February 25.