LIVING IN U.S.A. VERY DEAR

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1928, Page 11

LIVING IN U.S.A. VERY DEAR

THE HIGH WAGES EASILY SPENT. (By Wire —Special to News.) Auckland, Last Night. “In spite of the high wages which the American workmen receive, New Zealand workmen, with their lower wages, are really in a much better position.” This is the view of Mr. A. Spencer, president of the Auckland Employers’ Association, who returned to-day by the Niagara from a holiday trip to the United States. American workmen admittedly received phenomenal wages, but these were countered by false standards of living. “In America,” said Mr. Spencer, “it is no uncommon tiling for an unskilled labourer to earn £2 a day, but there are so many inducements to spend the money on luxuries that he is no better off than he would bo on a much smaller wage in New Zealand.” Living in America was very dear and clothes and ordinary household commodities were sold easily at double the prices paid in New Zealand. “High wages and the pernicious hire purchase system are ruining the American working man,” said Mr. Spencer. “I sincerely hope the system will never be allowed to develop in New Zealand to tho extent it has been developed in tho United States. “It is astounding the number and variety of goods purchased on this system under terms which are apparently easy, but which surely rob tho . working man of the money he so easily obtains.”