THE COST OF LIVING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1781, 20 June 1913, Page 6

THE COST OF LIVING.

$ RISE EXPECTED IN BRITAIN. EFFECT OF RAILWAY BATES. London, May 6. Dearer living: all round, or a lower quality of goods for tho same price, is threatened by tlio British railway companies' proposal to increase their merchandise traffic rates by 4 per cent., and in 6ome instances more, from July 1. Merchants and traders generally agree that in most cases the extra cost of carriage will ultimately be-transferred to the consumer, and that household articles, from srogar to tobacco, bedsteads to coal, ar< likely to be dearer. With its recollection of events.in 1911 the public will realise that it is thus called upon to pay tho differenco in the railwayman's wages which followed tho 6tnke, besides, as many traders maintain, an extra profit which the companies are now likely to make. Tho companies' aire only putting into effect the powers granted them by recent legislation, in keeping with the Government promise in 1911 to Teooup themselves for tho "increased cost of labour due to tho improvement of conditioos for their staffs. Already the public has paid several instalments. Last year excursion and weekend ticket rates, and in some places 6eason ticket rates, were increased. This month the Scottish railway companies arc advancing tho prices of certain thirdclass ordinary and return tickots, and it has been stated that passenger fares on tho English railways are also to be increased by the end of this month. THE NEW PROPOSALS. Mr. Stanley Machin, a vice-president or tho London Chamber of Commerce, said yesterday: "The proposed increase will bo a serious thing for all traders. Thau, too, there is the fact that the privileges which have hitherto been enjoyed by traders aro being curtailed in all directions. In the case of heavy goods, tho'increase will fall on the consumer or purchaser, but in tho hundred amd ono things which aro sold for small sums it is probable that tho producer or manufacturer will have to pay. It is not likely that thcfincreaso will bo accepted by tlie traders without a strong protest." A director of Messrs. Henry Tate and Rons, sugar Tsfmers, of Mincing Lane, E.C., said: "We view with very grave concorn the threatened increase of 4 or 5 pei' cent, in the railway Tates. This increase, taken in conjunction with the withdrawal of facilities, will lead to the sending of many classes of goods by water. "Another point wo shall have to watch carefully is now tho through foreign rates will be affected. In many instances tho increases will havo to be borne by the manufacturers, as they are' too small to be passed on to tho consumer, but that will mako it more difficult for tho English firm to compete with tho foreigner. In other cases accumulated increased charges will make a total wliicli will bo passed an to tho consumer." Tho manager of one of the largest wholesale grocery houses in tlie city said: "Ultimately the increase will have to como out of tlie consumer. Tho wholesaler, where he pay 9 carriage, will pass it on to the retailed and the retailer must in some way get it back."— "Daily Hail."