COST OF LIVING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10085, 25 September 1918, Page 5

COST OF LIVING

STARTLING FIGURES WELLINGTON THE DEAREST CITY IN AUSTRALASIA. Startling figures showing how Wellington stands in comparison with the two principal centres of Australia in respect to the cost of living were given to a “New Zealand Times” reporter yesterday by Mr A. L. Monteith (secretary of the storemen’s Union). In quoting these figures, which are retail prices, it is interesting to note that Sydney is at present tho dearest cem tre in the Commonwealth, and Melbourne comes second. Wellington, however, beats them both. The figures, which are reliable, being taken from the statistician’s reports for the month of June, are as under:

Mr Monteith also quoted’’some drapery figures, showing the remarkable increase in prices. In 1905 coloured alhambra. quilts were os 5Jd each, in 1914 they were 7s Id each, and in June of this year they were sold by the manufacturers at 26s each. Another type of quilt sold at 8s 7d, in 1905 at 11s 2d in 1914, and at 30s 6d in June of this year. White Turkish towels were 12s 6d a dozen in 1905, 14s 3d a dozen in 1914, and 32s 6d a dozen in June of this year. Bleached sheeting jumped from Is lh|d a yard to 3s 6d a yard, silvasteen and flannelette from 6d a yard to 16d a yard. All plain sewing cottons had increased 200 per cent in price since the beginning ol the war. These are only a few prices quoted at random. There are many other lines which can show similar increases in price. LABOUR RESOLUTIONS. At the usual monthly meeting of the board of management of the Wellington Typographical Union the following resolutions were carried: “That this union heartilv endorses the action of the Wellington Trades and Labrfr Council in calling a conference ol unions’ delegates to consider what steps should be taken to endeavour to bring about a decrease in the cost of living; and, in heartily supporting the movement, sincerely trusts everything possible will be attempted to bring about such a desirable and necessary condition of affairs.” The Rangataua branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants passed the following resolution at last meeting:—“That this meeting of the Rangataua branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants is of the opinion that the time is long overdue for an increase in wages of 4s per day to alt members of the Second Division. As th© present war bonus has been more than overtaken by the ever-increasing cost of living, the time has arrived when we as an organisation of over 8000 strong should demand a decent Jiving wage. As it is impossible for railway njen to exist on anything but a very low stand of living without getting into debt we urgently call upon our executive to petition Parliament at once with the object of getting some relief of the heavy burdens placed upon us. And failing any favourable consideration from Parliament to call a conference having representatives from all branches of the union throughout New Zealand for the purpose of deciding what action we would be compelled to take under the circumstances to obtain the end desired. “MERCILESS PBOFXIMONGERS.T

“llie cost of living in this country! was a reproach to ail of us, for we were individually and collectively, responsible,” remarked Mr Hornsby, M.P., in a pre-sessional address at Carterton recently. “Wepermitted the Government.” he continued, “to delegate its power, and as a result we had the worse than wicked supterfuge of a Board of Trade and Select Committees of the House. If a controller had been appointed, and ho had been supported by legal enactment, we should have ended the nefarious practice of the profiteer.” The speaker then went on to give examples of the desperate plight of the wage-earner today in this Dominion. The late Richard John Seddon had. what his opponents called a “rough-and-ready way.” “Yes, he had.” the speaker continued, “and he was successful in curbing the creed of certain people. Witness his method of dealing with the ferry steamer business between Wellington and Lyttelton; his handling of the fish supply monopolists of Christchurmh; his proposal to do in England what the Americans have long since done —control their own depots foi meat, cheese, butter, and other products. We needed someone strong enough to fake hold of the shipping ring, the coal ring, the meat ring, and the merchant ring; and the cost of a great many of the articles so necessary to the comfort and well-being of our people would coine down with a run. There was no use in mincing matters; we were in the grip of a merciless set of profitxnongors, and when .wo asked for relief we were treated hv the Board of Trade to a learned disquisition on poliltico-ecoj, nomics 1” ' ■ WM AtmociiLlion. CARTERTON. September 24. At f, meeting of the Cross Creek branch of the New Zealand Locomotive Engine-drivers. Firemen and Cleaners’ Association, the following motion was carried unanimously: “That, owing to the increased and growing cost of living, and the ineptitude of the Government in not taking any action, we as* for a rise in pay of four siblings per

Flour, 251b £ § »t3 CO s. d. .... 3 4i S S3 3 1 s. d. 3 3 o o £ s. d. 4 10i Bread, 21b .... 0 4 0 3i 0 51 Candles .... 0 Si 0 o 104 Jam .... 0 Si 0 54 0 6;. SaRo .... 0 3i 0 3f 0 4 Blue 0 8i 0 Hi Oatmeal, 71b .... 1 7 1 1 6 1 11 Potatoes, 141b .. .... 1 3J 0 9J 1 oi Clieese ... o iii .... o .'ii 1 I* 1 1 Onions 0 1 0 2 Bacon, (mid.) ... i ii 1 4i 1 44 Tea .... 1 6i 1 54 1 S Coffee ... 1 7* 1 7 1 73 Butter .... 1 61 ; 1 61 1 63