Higher Living Costs Mean Less For Workers, Says Mr. Sullivan. M.P.

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 June 1948, Page 4

Higher Living Costs Mean Less For Workers, Says Mr. Sullivan. M.P.

(0.C.) Ohakune, June 3. Figures in support of his contention that though wages were higher, the increased cost of living meant that New Zealanders today worked longer hours than . they did in 1948 in order to buy the same amount of goods, were quoted by Mr. W. Sullivan, MJ’, for Bay of Plenty, speaking at a meeting in Ohakune Junction tonight, which was arranged by the New Zealand National Party. “Mr. Nash says the cost of living in New Zealand is the lowest in the world. There was a time when labour was going to reduce the cost of living by reducing taxation. Surely then if we push up taxation, we must increase living costs. That is exactly what has happened," said Mr. Sullivan. “Many wage and income earners are getting wise to what is happening. They realise that more money, with consequent increases in living costs, is not good to them. “It is worth while comparing the prices of goods in New Zealand in 1938 and in 1948, to see how many hours at the different rates >f pay, the worker- has to work, to purchase the same article. Here are a few examples of every day needs: “Men's shirts in 1938 cost 7s 6d, so the worker worked 24 hours at 3s pec hour to buy a shirt. Today, the price is 255; so he works 65 hours at 4s per hour to get the same shirt. “Boys’ raincoats in 1938 cost 33s 6d —Hi hours at 3s. Today the coat costs 655, so he works 16 nours at 4s to buy the coat. (Five hours more work). “Double sheets cost 22s 6d in 1938 requiring 74 hours work at 3s per hour. Today they cost 71s and he has to works 18 hours at 4s (104 hours more work). Double bed blankets in 1938 cost 55s per pair; requiring 18 hours at 3s. Today, the cost is 103 s, requiring 26s hours work at 4s per hour. “In 1938, a certain model 10 h.p. car cost £290, taking 48 weeks at £6 per week to pay for the car. 'Today the same car costs £575, taking 72 weeks at £8 per week to buy the car. (Twenty-four more weeks’ work to buy the car). “In 1938 a bedroom suite wholesale cost £2O. requiring 133 hours at 3s per hour. Today, the same suite wholesale is £33. So the worker does 165 hours at 4s per hour to buy the suite. (Thirty-two more hours). "A house in 1938 which cost £l4OO, took the worker 233 weeks at a total of £6 per week to pay for it. Today, the same house will cost £2BOO, requiring 359 weeks at £8 per week. (117 more weeks’ work), or, nearly 21 years more toil to get the same job. “Workers should remember that the Labour Government reduced the amount of your income exemption from taxation from £250 to £2OO. If income tax is paid, the Government taxes you on the Social Security Tax you have already paid,” Mr. Sullivan added.