“Conditions Are Harder”

Northern Advocate, 11 August 1938, Page 11

“Conditions Are Harder”

-BOARDINGHOUSE KEEPER

"Wo arc still working under difficulties. and the future holds little prospects for an improvement.’’ commented a local boarding-house proprietor to an "Advocate i epi esentativc this morning.

“Costs," lie said, "are no better, m fact the prices of foodstuffs have recently undergone an increase.

“Only a matter of a few weeks ago, he said, "meat went up. most of the cuts advancing Id per lb. So far as vegetables arc concerned, they are as dear now as they have been for years. I pay 10d for an average sized cabbage and between 1 - and 2/- for -an averaged sized cauliflower. The cost of groceries has not been reduced. There has, of course, been the seasonal fluctuations of eggs—and what a price they have been this year!

“And now,” he continued, ‘‘we are faced with the prospects of a new award for our workers! Proceedings are shortly to be commenced in the Arbitration Court because parties could not agree in full in conciliation. Speaking from memory, he recalled that employers had offered a halfcrown increase, to females and a 5/inorease to males provided the working hours remained the same. “This didn’t suit the employees.” he said, “who want to have conditions equal to workers in licensed houses.” This particular establishment has been obliged to offer only bed and breakfast to its boarders. “It’s all we can dp." the proprietor said, “and we have no intention at present of altering this policy.”