COST OF LIVING

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14022, 27 March 1919, Page 5

COST OF LIVING

WELLINGTON’S BURDEN.

(Special to Times.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

The wage-earners .here are talcing heart of grace from the appearance ot rhe Government Statistician before the Arbitration Court. But for the very excellent work done by Air'Malcolm Fraser, those in authority never would have fully realised how hardly the increase in the cost of living is pressing upon the average working man. Mr Fraser has put the ease in plain figures for everyone, to read, and the politicians no longer can pretend to ho ignorant of the facts. Tit at they have failed to apply any far-reaching remedy is a reproach of which they will hear much during the general election. In Wellington in particular exploitation and profiteering have been rampant from the very beginning of the war, and the workers, at any rate ,will be no more ready to excuse the silence of private members than the inaction of Ministers.

Rent is the principal factor in making Wellington the most costly place of residence in *New Zealand. This item of expenditure in the capital city is represented by the index figure 1300. In Auckland the figure is 099, in Christchurch 943, and in Dunedin 889. ‘This means, roughly, that rent is 40 per cent higher in. Wellington than the average in the other throe cities. Rut not content with this, Wellington seeks further pre-eminence. During the war Its groceries have advanced from the index figure 1033 to 1073 (81.90 per con*), while Auckland's have advanced ■from 1001 to 1502 (only 80.05 per cent i Groceries, which, of course, gm" e wid > range of foods, rrc suhs f '”itipllv higher here than they are in Chvistchueeh. and yet Wellington claims, rightly, to he the great d:strihnting nor: for nil irr v 'or ir 'd goods "chided in this groan. In deirv erorhiee again >t is at the head of the p«+. 100 ”einf-i al-ove Ohris A ehurch, and on’v in the c-iugle r>f meat compares favourable w : th the other centres.