COST OF LIVING

Southland Times, Issue 19519, 19 May 1922, Page 5

COST OF LIVING

PRICE REDUCTIONS AT SYDNEY (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) SYDNEY, May 18. From the first of July it is understood a move will be made to secure a reduction in the cost of commodities, and of public utilities. Particularly where the cost had been previously increased on account of increased wages indications point to a steady drop in pricee. Figures prepared by the Board of Trade statistician show a typical group, men’s clothing and boots cost £l7 9/- in January. 1921, and now cost £l3 14/-; women’s £27 1/-, now £lB 10/-; food and groceries £2 1/7, now £1 9/6. Renta have slightly increased. PRICE OF COAL REDUCTION IN NORTH CANTERBURY (Per United Press Association.) (MRISTCHURCH, May 18. The North Canterbury Coal Merchants’ Association has decided to make a reduction in the price of coal commensurate with the reduction of wages recommended by the Court POSITION IN INVERCARGILL. EMPLOYERS BLOW TO MOVE. The reduction in the cost of living bonus of 5/- was the subject of an inquiry by a Times reporter yesterday. The first man called upon was the manager of one of the leading warehouses, who eaid that the wages of those affected in his line would be reduced from May 15. Hia firm employed twenty hands, but only five were affected, the saving in the wages sheet being £3 18/- per month. With such big losses and huge shrinkages in turnover which the wholesale trade had experienced during the last two years, the small reduction caused by the cutting down of the bonus would not affect prices. The overhead charges were just as high now as they were during the worst war period. “Our trade is not affected a great deal by wages,” he concluded, “the prices being governed by supply and demand.” A local garage proprietor eaid that they were taking no action at present, but the question, would be considered at a meeting on May 29. The drop represented roughly about l|d per hour, .and that would not give them much scope for a reduction in prices. The retail drapers have not yet reduced wages, but will probably take advantage of the reduction next week after the employers have considered it. The manager of one firm said that the saving in wages with his present staff would amount roughly to about £4 10/-. If the employers decided to reduce the bonus his firm would appoint more hands, as it was at present running with a minimum staff. Prices would not be affected by the cut under those circumstances. The Town Clerk, Mr F. Burwell, said that so far the Corporation had taken no action, but the Wages Committee had the matter under consideration. The only places that would be materially affected, said one man, were the factories that employed a large number of hands. In these instances the reductions would be large enough to be reflected in production prices.