THE COST OF LIVING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1188, 25 July 1911, Page 9

THE COST OF LIVING.

A CRY FUOJI TIIIO COUNTRY. ■Sir,—After reading many letters ro the price, of provisions paid by people in various centres, 1 wondered what they would fay if they had to pay what we have to pay at present; and if we complain at the price the freight is blamed for the high charge. Now, why should people living in the country he penalised in that way? Wages arc no higher. Sly husband cannot get any more 10-day than he j;ot twelve years ago, and we " could then get a sack of gcod potatoes for as. Gd., now they are lis.; butter at I'd., now Is. Bd.; mutton at 2U\., now average 3d. per lb.; beef tic!., now Ad.; suet, which we could always get n supply for nothing, now hero it'is 6:1.; lard, we pay lid. for; currants and raisins 3d. and lid. I could enumerate many other lines which havo almost doubled in price. Fresh milk, we cannot get, so have to fail back on condensed, which as anyone who has used it linds very expensive. Kent for 3 rconis here, without any conveniences, 15s. per week.

Now, how is a man who doesn't averago 10s. per day to keep a family of seven persons and provide them with feed, clothing, school books, etc.? I forgot to mention keroscno is lis. per tin—freight again. It means an endless struggle for tho mother. No wonder our asylums are crowded with women, "gone under." Till lately, unless cash was paid, bread was od. per ■lib. loaf; now it is Bd. And yet some people, have the cheek to call this "God's own country." It may be for a single man, young and strong, but for a man with a family unless they are all able to contribute their share to the housekeeping, No!

Since writing the above prices a woman called to see if she could supply me with milk at 3d. per quart. I'said "No, (hank 3 - ou; that makes it a luxury I cannot afford." Now, why should people living in the country with the train service at their door have to pay such exorbitant prices? Why should every working man and woman have to pay for the extravagance of those in power? They have the remedy in thoir own hands, and if they do not take advantage of it at Ihe pill they deserve to suffer. The various "aids to workers" are only sops, and do net benefit tho workers as a whole.

I intend, God willing, to follow the general exodus, and leave a country where one has such an endless struggle for existence. If tho wives and " mothers studied their own interests they would vote solid for any party who would make their lot in trying to rear a family respectably easier, and would faithfully cany out promises made beforo an election. Platitudes do not fill an empty platter, nor words clothe a naked back. We want independence of flic Government, reasonably-priced food, moderate rents, and less taxation, so that we should be able to put by for old ago and a rainy day; not to have to go to the Government for charity—for charity it is, after all. I have written this letter so that people in and near Wellington who are singing out about the high prices may .sc« what we in tho country havo to pay. -Hoping that the country will take Hamlet's advice—Reform it altogether,—l' am, etc., , ,„ , ' REFORMER. . Taihape. •