COST OF LIVING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 62, 6 April 1943, Page 4

COST OF LIVING

Sir,—:l was. very glad. to sec a town mother take up the cudgels for those living in town and who in spite of the rising costs are ex* . pected to feed, and clothe our i'am~> ilies on the old standard of salaries or wages which are paid to our men folk. All the details set out by her and. 'mother Irom the ayay backs' as far as the cost of children's clothing are well known to me nnfortunately, and I would just like to endorse some of the extra difficulties which are met with in the town. Milk, fruit and vegetables are the main onc.s, though coal, and firewood can run into quite a figura over the year. What I consider, is t'hatj this country of ours, is so en* 'grossed, in being patriotic towards its Avar effort, that it is forgetting the most vital feature of its existence and potential greatness—the care and encouragement of its homes and the maintenance of its family life. To-day is the day of the young unattached man and woman. They alone arc able to assist in the country's war measures, and , under the present Avar fever, nobody e.ls;e counts, not even those who by their quiet labours are laying the foundations for the future upon a permanent basis. I hope I do not .appear to be a growser but ask yourself Mr Editor, —who is it that suffers when the clothing mar-. ke.t goes sky high! Not the youth or flapper who- is to-day being fast ruined by ridiculous Avages far in advance of their worth; not the young man or 3'oung women in uniform, Avhose clothing is met by the army; not the average married man in the army whose pay and allowances are received, tax free and who needs retain no percentage to clothe htyn-. self Avith; not the childless married couple Avho as a rule are receiving more money than cA r er before.—no it is the mother of a young family /■ seeking vainly to make ends meeti in spite of exorbitant jirices and getting no concessions from any m source, merclj T because her husband whether he be willing "t.o do so or otherwise is still holding his civil-#, ian occupation. Surely . the army with it apparent surfiet of ing, food and goods of all descriptions, could afford a little to allow us to decently clothe the citizens - of the future during the coming winter. For my part I am afraid some of mine Avill not. be. so unless the ruling prices are relieved. Yours etc., MERELY A MOTHER.-