WAGES AND COSTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21029, 13 November 1931, Page 12

WAGES AND COSTS.

Sir,—The complaint of injustice to the lower ranks, or "underdog," in New Zealand, is well justified. Why not, instead of sacking or penalising these unfortunates, mark down the salaries of the higher-paid to approximately what they were prior to the war, when there was no hideous burden of war debts to be met, and no unemployment to spiak of. The' sum of £4OO or £SOO a year was considered a good salary 20 years ago. but now the higher-paid double ar.ci treble that amount easily. The working and trademen'a wages were steady at £2 10s and £3 weekly. Now they are either unemployed or eking out a meagie existence on their life s savings. The cost also of such food as bread was 3d a small loaf, and the wheatgrowers a 3 a rule were quite abl e to make a comfortable fortune on that basis. When will the men whom we pay to rule our country and give us a square deal realise that a country's prosperity depends upon th= prosperity of its'people as a whole, ami that one section has no right to be penalised at the expense or for the benef; of another section ? M.H.