DEPRESSION IN AUSTRALIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21021, 9 May 1930, Page 9

DEPRESSION IN AUSTRALIA.

MANY WORKS STOPPED. HIGH COST OF LIVING. (Special to Daily Times.) „ ' , . WELLINGTON, May 8. .People in hTew Zealand are unable measure the effect s of the slump in Sydney,” said a Wellington resident, who returned a few days 'ago from a holiday in the New South Wales capital. ]The financial stringency has put an end to ever so many works,” he proceeded. All work on the ■ underground railway has ceased, for the time ' being at aU events, as tbe Government simply has not the money to go on with it. The cessation of building has brought trouble in plenty to many industries which depend on such works. _ I heard of one brick and tile works which had been in existence for 30 years and ha'd to close down through lack of orders; In the meantime the bridge across the harbour goes on, and month after month the two great arms draw a little nearer to one another “Everything is dear in Sydney. Some travellers say it -is- the dearest city in the world to live in. Meals are most expensive wherever you go, and the ordinary luncheon that would cost Is 6d or 2s here would run into’ss or 6s in Sydney. Everyone complains, but it makes no difference. One Wellington couple who have been living- in Sydney- for over a year have returned to Wellington simply on account of the cost of living, and they are wed-to-do people. One reason is said to be the high protective tariff imposed ml goods that Australia can produce. '■ which extends to foodstuffs, boots, dotlw mg and ail sorts of things. Australia is seeking- to make it possible to live within herself, but.it is going to be very hard tor everyone for some time to come.”