WAGES AND PRICES.

Wairarapa Age, 29 July 1936, Page 4

WAGES AND PRICES.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Please advise me if I am right in assuming that the object of the Government’s recent legislation for higher wages was to enable me to obtain more of the necessities of life for my wife and family! Lately I find that odd pennies are being tacked on to v arious commodities, tradesmen excusing themselves on the grounds that the increased salaries which they have to pay their employees has to be met with increased prices. I thought that the extra wages bill would have been covered by the increased purchasing power of the worker! Correct me if I am wrong, because I am really most frightfully slow on the uptake in such matters. You get the drift of my query, I suppose? I take it that I am getting higher wages, but have to box on with the same amount of food and clothing on which I struggled along before the legislation, only this time having the privilege of paying more for the aforementioned sustenance and raiment? Being, as I said, rather backward in the grey matter department, I look to you for guidance, as I should hate to do anyone an injustice, especially as the Government’s worthy object looks like being defeated. Thanking you in anticipation,—l am, etc., SALABIUM. Masterton, July 28.