THE COST OF LIVING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 946, 23 April 1908, Page 21

THE COST OF LIVING.

The price of commodities and the charges for house rents , cause heads of families considerable anxiety. It has been the custom of the Labour Department to publish periodically the prices of commodities in the different parts of the Dominion and some interesting particulars in this connection will appear in this month’s issue of the “Labour Journa..” From this it will be found that Wellington still holds the unenviable position of pride of place in the matter of rents, but although there are variations in the price of commodities at the aggregate about on a par with each other in tne matter of supplies. For potatoes people in Wellington on March ist, were paying 3d more per i4lbs than were the residents ®f either Auckland, Christchurch, or Dunedin; tea was a penny per lb dearer than anywhere e T se, the difference between Auckland and Wellington for average qualities being as much as qd per lb; for oatmeal 6d per 251 b more was paid than at Auckland and Christchurch, and qd more than at Dunedin. Why such a difference does exist is not stated. Wellington supplies the cheapest meat of the centres. Auckland is lowest in the matter of boots, with Dunedin next. On the figures taken all round, Auckland is the most desirable place of residence for the man of moderate means, but those who envy the residents there may find some consolation in the fact that if prices are low so also are wages. When all is summed up there is really not such a great difference as might appear from a cursory glance at the details.